Mum charged with daughter's murder found after skipping trial

Friday, 12 February 2021

A mother about to stand trial for the murder of her 18-month-old has been located by police in Hamilton after she allegedly cut off her electronic monitoring anklet and went on the run.

Police confirmed Southern Cheyenne Thompson was located on Thursday night and is currently in custody.

Thompson’s trial was set to start at the High Court in Rotorua on Tuesday, but she cut off her electronic monitoring anklet, the court heard, and could not be located.

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The 26-year-old is charged with one count of murder, one count of injuring with intent to injure and two counts of ill-treating a child.

The charge relates to the death of her daughter, 18-month-old Comfort Joy Thompson-Pene, who died in Waikato Hospital on July 24, 2018.

Thompson is accused of injuring the toddler, resulting in her death, between July 20 and July 23.

Thompson is alleged to have removed her monitoring bracelet a week ago, on Thursday, February 4.

Justice Tracey Walker said the trial had to be vacated until the defendant could be located.