Newstalk ZB
The mother of a disabled toddler who refused to let medical professionals into her house as her son starved to death pleaded guilty to manslaughter today, just minutes before her jury trial was set to begin. Stormy Lee Ryder, 33, had been aware that 19-month-old Tūwharetoa Tahau – who had cerebral palsy resulting from a brain bleed when he was an infant – had been acting oddly in the weeks before his June 2024 death inside their South Auckland home, according to newly released court documents. Between early February and his post-mortem exam five months later, his weight had dropped about 27% from 8.53kg to 6.23kg. He was no longer sleeping soundly and had stopped eating all but Weet-Bix and banana yoghurt, and a single bottle a day, Ryder would later tell police, explaining that it had been normal for him previously to drink six to seven bottles. Paramedics who attended the scene immediately noticed Tūwharetoa was visibly emaciated, with his ribs showing. But despite the troubling signs, Ryder refused to let two Plunket nurses into her Takanini home when they tried to visit the day before the boy’s death. Later that night, she left Tūwharetoa and two siblings, also toddlers, at home without an adult. It is not known when she returned, but the agreed summary of facts states she realised Tūwharetoa was “floppy and unresponsive” around 5am the next day. She wouldn’t call 111 until nearly an hour and a half later. “You love the gear more than your kids,” Ryder’s own mother had told her via text in an argument two weeks before the child’s death. “Gear” is a common slang term for drugs. Ryder’s lower lip quivered at times today as Justice Grant Powell referred to some of the allegations outside the presence of the jury panel. She started the day seated in an area normally reserved for lawyers, having opted to represent herself at trial. But she was moved to the glass-enclosed dock, where defendants normally sit, as she changed her plea to guilty. Justice Powell set a sentencing date for June, ordering that she remain in custody in the meantime. Surprise twin Court documents released today outline for the first time how Tūwharetoa had a difficult start to life even before his birth. Ryder did not seek antenatal care during her pregnancy and Tūwharetoa, along with his twin sister, were born significantly premature. The defendant had not been aware she was carrying twins. Both infants suffered significant complications due to their early births and spent the first five months of their lives in a hospital newborn intensive care unit. At two months old, Tūwharetoa suffered another significant setback in the form of a brain bleed and fluid build-up within his brain. If he was lucky enough to survive, the family was told, he’d need long-term care with frequent medical appointments. Auckland High Court Justice Grant Powell was set to oversee Stormy Ryder's manslaughter trial before she pleaded guilty at the last minute. He will now oversee her sentencing instead. Photo / Jason Dorday “Ms Ryder had significant and extensive community support available to her following the twins’ discharge from hospital,” the agreed summary of facts state. “She was aware of, and given training sessions for, Tūwharetoa’s significant feeding challenges [for instance using more energy to feed and requiring assistance]. “Upon discharge, the community services available included homecare nurses (Kidz First), a community dietician, a speech and language therapist, a neurodevelopmental therapist, and appointments to see the neurosurgical clinic, the Neonatal clinic, and an ophthalmology appointment.” Missed appointments Tūwharetoa was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in August 2023, 10 months before his death. It severely affected his development, with reduced vision and limited control along the left side of his body. Because of that, c...
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