Fijian babysitter gets 5 years for manslaughter

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Updated: 10:55pm – A 21-year-old Fijian woman who killed a 1-year-old girl while babysitting her has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the High Court in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Shayal Upashna Sami was caring for the child of a family friend at her Christchurch home on January 6, 2015 when she suddenly snapped and hit Aaliyah Ashlyn Chand’s head against a hard surface, causing irreparable brain damage.

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Aaliyah, who had her first birthday the week before, was assaulted with such force she was left instantly comatose, her skull fractured, and died the following day in Christchurch Hospital with her parents at her side

Sami, who was then 18 and five months pregnant, claimed the infant was injured in a freak accident when she fell from a couch at her Worcester St, Linwood flat while she cooked nearby.

But following a two week trial last month, jurors convicted her of manslaughter after deciding it was more likely she “simply snapped” and attacked the defenceless toddler in a momentary loss of control.

While sentencing Sami today, Judge Justice Rachel Dunningham said “we will never know” what caused her to lose her temper that day, but that “it’s clear that the jury found you caused her death and that the death was not the result of an accidental fall”.

The judge also applauded the “great courage and dignity” shown by Aaliyah’s parents.

Sami will be deported to Fiji after she is released from prison while her husband Nilesh Ram, will remain in Christchurch while she is behind bars.

Their 2-year-old daughter has been sent to Fiji.

-Fiji Live

By Reginald Chandar

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