A woman who allegedly slammed a toddler's head against a door with such force it left dents in the wood, is undoubtedly responsible for his death, a court has been told.

Dylan Rimoni, 3, died on April 18, 2008, in Auckland's Starship children's hospital after his life support was turned off. An autopsy showed he died from head injuries.

His carer, Patricia Angela Pickering, 38, is charged with murdering the boy after bashing his head against a hard surface.

Pickering, who is on trial in the High Court at Auckland, also faces two charges of grievous bodily harm and one charge of assault. She has denied all charges.

Yesterday, Crown prosecutor Philip Hamlin told the court Dylan was given to Pickering to care for because the boy was in need of a mother and Pickering wanted a child. He had been removed from his birth parents' care after allegations of neglect and abuse.

Although it appeared a dream come true for both Pickering and the boy, the reality was quite different, Mr Hamlin said.

"This child was beaten for a long time. He was hit, cut and maltreated over the period he was in Ms Pickering's care. In the end he was dead, in her arms, effectively."

The jury was shown a cupboard door with two dents in the wood that the Crown claims were caused by the boy's head hitting it with force.

Evidence had been given to the court by Pickering's neighbours, who heard angry yelling at the house. One neighbour had heard Pickering yell: "Shut the f... up, shut up". Another heard her say: "If you do not shut your mouth, I'm going to punch your head."

Neighbours also gave evidence of seeing Pickering roughly handling a child outside the house a month before Dylan's death, Mr Hamlin said.

Pickering had then lied to police about what had really happened, blaming Dylan's injuries on him being a "clumsy" child.

"Toddlers do not run around and get significant brain injuries." The trial is continuing.