A toddler who died in hospital from "non-accidental" head injuries vomited repeatedly in the days before her death but her mother and stepfather chose not to take her to a doctor.
Instead, Hail-Sage McClutchie's mother Kelly Percy and Adrian Wilson-Minimita drank with friends and played pokies, a coroner's inquest heard on Tuesday.
The New Zealand Herald reports the Hamilton inquest was told the 22-month-old was picked up from her grandmother and caregiver 10 days before she died.
Her mother told the inquest the toddler had at least four falls while in her care - she fell off a swing and a slide, hit her head on a bed and also fell from playground equipment at a relative's house.
About five days after being collected she began vomiting, but Ms Percy and Mr Wilson-Minimita three times decided against seeking medical help.
Ms Percy decided against going to a doctor following an argument with her partner after seeing dried blood in her daughter's ear and he went to play pokies.
The pair left a health clinic at a marae without seeing anyone and despite making an appointment at a Morrinsville health clinic failed to keep it after thinking the toddler "was better" and Ms Percy drank with friends that night.
Hail-Sage died in Waikato Hospital on September 27, 2010 after a seizure.
A police investigation into her death, after hospital staff reported non-accidental head injuries, has not resulted in any charges.
Pathologist Dr Steven Stables said Hail-Sage had suffered a brain injury about a week before her death.
The inquest continues.
NZN