A Te Teko woman has appeared in the Whakatāne District Court today on a charge of child assault, which resulted in the death of eight-year-old Rickah’Shae Keefe-Haerewa.

The 25-year-old woman was granted continued interim name suppression, despite opposition from media and a neutral position by the prosecution.

She held a Bible while she stood in the dock for her second court appearance, wiping her eyes occasionally with a tissue.

“You’re tough, you’re strong; you got this,” one supporter said from the public gallery.

Another person in the gallery called the defendant a “monster.”

The woman’s lawyer sought name suppression to be continued, which was opposed by Stuff and NZME reporters.

Judge Dean Blair granted an extension to the name suppression and gave the defence until Friday at 5pm to apply for a further continuation.

If no application is made, name suppression will lapse.

Details of the case are also suppressed while the investigation is underway.

Crown prosecutor Anna Pollett told the court more serious charges were likely.

She spoke with the victim’s whānau, who did not seek further suppression of his name.

The defendant was remanded to reappear on December 11 for a bail application hearing.

Police were called to Whakatāne Hospital at 5.30pm on November 15 when Rickah'Shae, also known as Joppy, died following an assault.

The woman was arrested and charged with assault, and a homicide investigation was launched the following day.

A location in Te Teko was examined by police later that day.