Mother sentenced after toddler chokes to death

A Dunedin mother of five who killed her 22-month-old daughter earlier this year escaped a custodial sentence today.

The 27-year-old, who has permanent name suppression, admitted infanticide after an initial charge of murder was dropped.

She hit and smothered the girl for crying incessantly, leading to her choking to death on regurgitated food.

In Dunedin High Court today, Justice Graham Panckhurst said the woman could not be held fully responsible as she was severely depressed at the time of the attack.

He sentenced her to two years' intensive supervision and 100 hours of community work.

- NZPA