The Press
May 14 2008

Girl died of lack of oxygen, jury told
by Dean Calcott

Charlene Makaza died of organ failure through lack of oxygen, a paediatrician has told a jury.

Dr Maud Meates-Dennis told the High Court in Christchurch yesterday that Charlene, 10, died on January 7 last year because her brain and other vital organs had sustained severe damage due to lack of oxygen.

Her adoptive father, George Evans Gwaze, 56, is on trial for her alleged murder and sexual violation. Charlene died after being taken unconscious to hospital the day before.

The Crown says Charlene died after a brutal sexual assault. DNA from sperm found in her underwear came from Gwaze.

The defence says Charlene, a sickly child, died of an overwhelming infection and the DNA came from cross-contamination after jumbling of clothing in a washing machine.

Meates-Dennis said the lack of oxygen could have been caused by a severe lung condition such as pneumonia, and from septic shock, but blocking of the airway was the most likely cause in this case.

Questioned by Chris Lange for the prosecution, Meates-Dennis said she had much experience of African children, having worked in Ethiopia and for more than 10 years in London, where at least half the patients she dealt with were of African origin.

At Christchurch Hospital, Charlene was found to be HIV-positive. This did not contribute directly to her death.

Questioned by Jonathan Eaton for the defence, Meates-Dennis said she did not think septic shock, the initial working diagnosis, was the cause of Charlene's death. It did not give an adequate explanation of why brain damage occurred so early in her care. Suffocation was the only mechanism that explained all the clinical features Charlene had, Meates-Dennis said.

If doctors had known Charlene was HIV-positive she would have been sent to Christchurch Hospital's paediatrics department, where she would have been monitored every three months and treated as needed.

It was surprising she had not been taken to the department. Most children with recurrent health problems were referred, Meates-Dennis said.

This week, Environmental Science and Research scientist Susan Vintiner told the court it was unlikely sperm found in Charlene's underwear was transferred in the washing machine.