Murder accused Lauren Dickason to remain in psychiatric facility
A South African woman accused of murdering her three daughters remains in a psychiatric facility in New Zeeland.
Lauren Dickason was expected to appear in the High Court in Christchurch on Friday, but was excused from court proceedings on advice from her managing clinician.
The 40-year-old Dickason has not appeared physically in court since the horrific incident in September last year.
Dickason was admitted to a medium secure psychiatric facility in Christchurch following her arrest after the deaths.
Her defense counsel, Kerryn Beaton, appeared on her behalf in court.
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She told the court that, on advice from her doctor, it could be detrimental to expose her to a court setting at this stage.
Dickason, her husband Graham, and their three girls aged between 2 and 6 years arrived in New Zealand in August.
The toddlers were found dead by their father a week after the family moved into a property in Timaru.