Toddler's sisters see torture

PHIL DOYLE/Sunday Star Times

SISTER SPEAKS OUT: Louise Kuka, sister of Lisa Kuka, says she believes the mother of seriously ill Rotorua 3-year-old Nia Glassie knew what was happening to her daughter.

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The mother of a three-year-old girl left dangerously ill in New Zealand's latest horrific abuse case went nightclubbing on Friday night as her child lay in Starship hospital, her sister says.
Sharples horrified at child's alleged abuse

Rotorua woman Lisa Kuka, 34, is likely to be charged with not providing a safe environment for her daughter Nia Glassie, who suffered severe brain damage after months of abuse - including allegedly being spun in a tumble dryer.

In revealing interviews with the Sunday Star-Times, Lisa's sister Louise and mother Polly have spoken out against her.

"She's suffering at the moment but she should be suffering more," Polly Kuka said. "I will not protect her. They should lock her up in jail."

Louise Kuka said she, Lisa and their sister Linda went out drinking and clubbing in Auckland on Friday night "to take her mind off it".

Louise Kuka, who took Nia to hospital last weekend, said she believed Lisa knew what was happening to her daughter. "I'm so angry with her. She knew. She knew."

Nia's case has shocked the country after revelations she was pegged to a clothesline and swung around until she flew through the air and then put in the dryer. Neighbours said Nia was also thrown in the sandpit and had blocks of wood thrown at her.

Police found streaks of blood through the passage of the Frank St, Rotorua, home where Nia was assaulted. She lived there with Lisa Kuka, Kuka's partner of two years Wiremu Curtis, 17, his brother Michael Curtis, 21, Michael's partner Oriwa Kemp, 17, and Michael Pearson, 19. Pearson is Louise Kuka's son. The Curtis brothers, their father 47-year-old William Curtis, Pearson and Kemp have been charged with assaulting Nia and will re-appear in Rotorua District Court tomorrow.

Police allege the abuse has been going on since March. Kuka and Curtis moved into the Frank St house three months ago.

Polly Kuka, who lives in the Rotorua suburb of Koutu and has worked as a mill hand for 27 years, said she had been devastated by the abuse and told the Star-Times her daughter had shamed the family by not stopping the assaults.

"I'm so angry and I'm hurting. What's getting to me is that that girl (Nia) is going to come home in a wheelchair. The mother (Lisa) should be responsible."

Although Nia's injuries were initially thought to be life-threatening, she was yesterday out of an induced coma and her mother had bathed her.

Police say Nia is still critically ill, however, and her injuries may leave her permanently brain damaged. A source told the Star-Times Nia will need 24-hour care for the rest of her life.

In a text message to the Star Times yesterday, Lisa Kuka said "My gurl and me r fine." Told that her family believed she had been aware of what was happening to Nia, she responded: "Blieve wot u wnt 2."

Louise Kuka took Nia and two of Lisa's other children away from the house last weekend as Michael Curtis celebrated his 21st birthday. Louise said she was woken about 4am by Nia's older sister Esther saying Nia was trying to vomit.

"She said `aunty, Nia's going to be sick'. I rolled her on to her side and noticed she was frothing from the mouth."

Louise said she took Nia to Rotorua Hospital and she was then transferred to Auckland's Starship. Louise said Michael Curtis had tried to stop Nia going with her but she said "I'm taking her, she's my niece".

"Lisa told me (Nia) had flu. I said I will take her and look after her. She said, `promise me you won't take her to the hospital'."

Esther, eight, and another sister Jessie, 10, who lived in the same house, were taken into Child, Youth and Family care and are now with an extended family member.

Louise said the girls witnessed the abuse.

"Jessie approached me and she said `we saw everything'. They told me they (saw them) put Nia in the dryer. They put her in and turned the dial. They watched her go round and they laughed."

Lisa, who is one of 17 siblings, has six children and her eldest child is 16. Three of her children live with another sister, Donna.

- © Fairfax NZ News