Three people charged in connection with the death of a toddler in County Tyrone have appeared in court.

Tavia Da Costa was found dead at a house in the Windmill Court area of Dungannon last Sunday.

Strabane Magistrates’ Court heard the 23-month-old’s death was due to a brain injury caused by blunt force trauma.  

 A post-mortem also showed bruises to her body - including to her face and head. 

29-year-old Januaria Ximenes is charged with murder; he’s the partner of 21-year-old Suzi da Costa who is Tavia’s mother. 

Suzi is charged with manslaughter, while Tavia’s aunt, 24-year-old Suzanna da Costa, is charged with causing or allowing the death of a child. 

All three defendants gave an address of Windmill Court, Dungannon; they appeared by videolink and deny the charges. 

They were remanded in custody to appear in court again next month.

Main image: Tavia Michella Ximenes Da Costa. Picture by: PSNI

Reporting by Chelsie Kealey.