Great Aunt Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Death of 8-Year-Old Boy
Pauline Timu, 62, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of 8-year-old Rickah’Shae Keefe-Haerewa, who died in November 2024 after suffering blunt force trauma. Timu, who was Rickah’Shae’s legal guardian and great aunt, similarly admitted to a series of charges related to the ill-treatment and ongoing violence towards the child and other children in her care.
Timeline of Events
On November 15, 2024, Timu transported Rickah’Shae to Whakatāne Hospital, but delayed seeking immediate medical attention. She stopped for seven to nine minutes en route to call another occupant of her house, warning them of a potential police visit. Despite being unresponsive, Rickah’Shae was pronounced dead at the hospital. The New Zealand Herald reports the cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the abdomen, with evidence of prior non-accidental injuries.
Details of Abuse
According to an agreed summary of facts, Timu slapped Rickah’Shae as a punishment for lying on the day he died. She failed to intervene when he allegedly suffered a serious assault by another person and further delayed medical care while in the car with him, instead making phone calls to others. SunLive reports that Timu admitted to physically abusing Rickah’Shae, including slapping, “booting his bum”, hitting him with a pole or stick, and whipping him with a cord, sometimes filming the assaults.
Over three years of legal custody, Rickah’Shae frequently displayed visible injuries, such as black eyes. Timu also subjected him to punishments like shaving his head, unjustified school absences, and withholding food, while instructing the school not to provide free lunches.
Additional Charges and Victims
Timu pleaded guilty to 12 charges, including manslaughter, assault, assault with a weapon, and ill-treatment of children. The charges detail assaults against multiple children, involving punches, hits with belts and wooden spoons, and instances where the force of her blows caused her own pain. She also admitted to ill-treatment, including shaving children’s heads and withholding food. SunLive also reports that Maya Hati, 25, is facing charges of murder and assault of a child in relation to Rickah’Shae’s death.
Legal Proceedings
The Crown is seeking to transfer the District Court charges to the High Court for a consolidated sentencing. A preliminary sentencing date has been set for May in the High Court at Hamilton. Family members and supporters of Rickah’Shae were present during the plea hearing, with Rickah’Shae’s mother visibly distraught.