Locals in the sleepy Bay of Plenty village of Te Mahoe are reeling on Monday night over news one of their own has appeared in court charged with the murder of a two-year-old girl.
Police were called to the Matahina Dam, south of Whakatane, at about 6pm on Sunday night following reports a man had entered the lake with a child.
A 32-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of the two-year-old girl in the Rangitaiki River.
He appeared in the Whakatane District Court on Monday and was granted interim name suppression.
A family member at court told Newshub the family is in shock and say they find it unbelievable the man charged with murder could harm the child.
The man was known to the victim, but at this stage police are not providing any further information regarding their relationship.
Police were called to the Matahina Dam area following the report of the missing child.
An extensive search and rescue operation began, and the toddler's body was found in Rangitaiki River at around 11pm.
A guard is stationed at the scene.
Locals in the tiny Bay of Plenty village say the incident has hit them hard. About 150 people live in Te Mahoe village and one young man has told Newshub they all know each other and the town is grieving the loss of a young life.
"Our hearts are strongly with the whānau - this is a time for joining with them, supporting them and helping their way through what has happened," chair of the local school, Caroline Abraham, says.
Locals say they always teach their kids not to go near the water.
Newshub.
