Treated Like a Dog

Nia Marie Glassie first arrived at Rotorua Hospital suffering from convulsions.

She was allegedly dropped into an ice-cold bath before spending up to 30 minutes being spun around in a tumble dryer. There were reports of her being left screaming on the roof of her Frank St house, being spun on a clothes line until she flew off - and being used by her abusers to practise wrestling moves on.

It is also understood Nia was made to run around the house naked and was left outside for more than an hour at a time in freezing temperatures.The injuries were allegedly inflicted between March and July, but intensified in the three days before treatment was sought a week ago, around the time of a 21st birthday party to which police were called. According to neighbours, the party had erupted into fights, swearing and cars speeding along the street.

Neighbours said Nia was also thrown in the sandpit and had blocks of wood thrown at her.

As her child lay in Starship hospital in a coma, the mother went drinking and nightclubbing. Rotorua woman Lisa Kuka, 34, is likely to be charged with not providing a safe environment for her daughter Nia Glassie.

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".

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

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

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. 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."

Source: NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10454501

             Sunday Star-Times http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/4144689a6005.html