The woman accused of murdering her three young daughters in Timaru intends to plead not guilty.
Lauren Dickason was charged last month with murdering the young girls - Liane, six, and two-year-old twins Maya and Kayla - at their Timaru residence. The family, including father Graham, had only recently moved to the South Island town from South Africa.
The mother had her appearance at a Christchurch High Court hearing on Friday excused, but her counsel said she will plead not guilty to murdering her daughters. As Dickason was absent, a notice will be filed later on Friday to formalise the pleas.
She will remain at Hillmorton Hospital until her next appearance in December. A trial date has been set down for March 2023.
The three girls were found dead on September 16 by their father who had returned to their Queen St house just before 10pm. Emergency services converged on the property, with Lauren initially taken to hospital.
The family had only arrived in Timaru a week before after moving to New Zealand from Pretoria in South Africa and spending time in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ). Both parents are medical practitioners, with Graham working at the local hospital. Anyone entering the country must stay in a MIQ facility for at least two weeks due to COVID-19.
The incident shocked the South Canterbury town of Timaru. Hundreds turned out a week after their deaths at a candlelight vigil to remember them. Reverend Alan Cummins, who is helping to support Graham, read out a letter from the father, in which he said losing his "three previous angels" was a "loss that I will carry with me for the rest of my life".
A Givealittle set up to support the Dickason family has raised more than $33,000. A message from Graham says he has been "overwhelmed and humbled" by the response.
"The kindness and generosity has left me fathomed. I want to thank each and every person who felt it in their hearts to donate on this page. The messages has been heartfelt and comfoting."
