The former partner of a woman who poisoned their toddler refused to stand for a judge after a sentence of home detention was handed down.
”I am extremely disappointed, I feel like no justice has been served,’ he told Stuff on Friday.
The woman was sentenced to 11 months home detention after previously admitted poisoning her youngest child by deliberately mixing milk with other ingredients firstly at Dunedin Hospital, and then at Starship children’s hospital in Auckland.
I think she should have got prison time … and got help in there.’
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Justice Christine Gordon continued the womans interim name suppression when she appeared for sentencing at the High Court in Auckland on Friday.
I couldnt bring myself to stand when (the judge) left,” the man said.
I was just gutted. I just dont have any respect for the justice system after this.’
He questioned why his former partner was given a discount for an early guilty plea, despite that occurring late in the court proceedings.
This happened two years ago and she only pleaded guilty this year.’
The woman, who was diagnosed with Munchausen syndrome, where a person fakes sickness or injury to get attention, was also given a discount for remorse.
They were previously involved with for six years, but he said she had never apologised to him for the offending.
Court documents obtained by Stuff show the woman made dozens of internet searches, including: Drugs that can kill toddlers because of accidental ingestion.
The father with his newly born son.
In August 2019, over the space of a week and a half, the woman repeatedly administered toxins to the baby while at Dunedin Hospital and then after he had been airlifted to Starship in an induced coma.
At Dunedin Hospital, as a result of the toxins, the baby had to undergo a lumber puncture, intubation and anaesthetic.
He then vomited milk and inhaled it into his lungs, causing him to develop pneumonia.
At Starship, the man spotted his partner putting milk into a feeding tube as his son fought for his life.
He informed a nurse of his concerns, prompting medics to turning their thinking towards foul play.
It emerged the woman had combined antidepressants, pharmaceutical eye drops and nasal spray, before adding the potent mixture to milk and feeding it to their toddler.
The poison affected their son so badly he suffered brain damage
The man, who was initially under suspicion alongside his former partner, said he was yet to gain full custody of their three children.
I feel like me and my family had way worse punishment than what she has.’
He had moved to a different part of the South Island, and was now firmly focused on his childrens future.
His youngest son continued to prosper, but concerns remained on how his brain injury may impact on him when he gets older.
He may have his own psychological battles from the fact his mother did that with him.
The man now wants full custody of his children, who still remain under Oranga Tamariki care with him classified as their caregiver.
Im an innocent father thats a victim alongside my children, and I am given no rights.
As part of the sentencing the woman is not allowed to be alone with children under the age of 16 without a suitable adult.
The man said he had no feelings towards his former partner.
She is pretty much dead to me.
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