The mother of two-year-old Ariah Roberts, who was allegedly murdered at her home in Mangawhai last year, has been accused of lying in order to protect her former partner Aaron Archer.
The toddler died of blunt force trauma at her home in Mangawhai in August last year, and pathology records show at least twenty bruises on her head.
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Archer is on trial for killing the two-year-old. His lawyer says he was swinging the two-year-old around and lost his grip, causing her to hit a wall.
Ariah's mother originally told the court she hadn't noticed any bruises on her daughter's head when she washed her hair on the night of her death.
But when she was recalled on Monday, she changed her story, telling the court her daughter did already have multiple bruises on her head. She says the bruises were caused by Ariah's habit of banging her head against the cot.
"It's important for everyone to have the information that she definitely had injuries before she died."
It follows evidence given by Ariah's maternal grandmother in Auckland High Court on Friday. She said the toddler's head was covered in bruises five days prior to her death.
On Monday, the mother confirmed she had been in contact with Ariah's grandmother since the new evidence was given in court on Friday - but she denied changing her story to align with it.
"Why would I make this up? This is my daughter's life and I want the person to get a fair trial," said Ariah's mother in court on Monday.
When asked if she wished to "protect the defendant", she said "no" and claimed she is trying her best to move on and "have a new life".
Crown prosecutor Brian Dickey closed his case in the afternoon, urging the jury to put aside what he described as Monday's pantomime.
The defence will close their case on Tuesday morning.
Newshub.
