Ferro-James Tiopira Sio

Tortured and killed by his father William James Sio while his stepmother Leza Rawiri was in the room and did nothing. They also failed to provide medical care after Ferro-James stopped breathing in their cramped emergency housing room at Union Street in Rotorua, but later took his lifeless body to Rotorua Hospital. Ferro-James died from a sustained and severe beating over seven hours. He had also endured a 'horrific reign of abuse' in the months leading up to his death from both his father and stepmother. His injuries were so bad he had to have a closed casket.

The family of Ferro-James Tiopira Sio say the 5-year-old loved the "monster" who killed him - his father. Today, William James Sio, 25 was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years for the murder of his son in Rotorua emergency housing on February 8 last year, and related charges. Court documents showed the boy died after a severe and sustained beating at the hands of his father, and that his father had a history of abusing him. "He was a great dancer, a guy with mad rhythm and whistling skills, he sang with the voice of an angel. His laugh was heart-melting. "He dreamt of driving his own car, he dreamt of owning a horse, he had plans and potential. He was loved and he was so so brave. "His heart was gold, and he loved that monster, Sio, with all his heart." The statement said the family was "sick and broken" imagining themselves in the boy's shoes having learned "how horrific his last days were". Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/family-speak-ou...