A Nova Scotia woman has been charged with manslaughter in the death of her father after he fell down a flight of stairs.

Officers were called to investigate a suspicious fall at a residence in Brookside on July 22.

Retired teacher, 64-year-old David Burgess, was taken to hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

Police charged his daughter, 28-year-old Vanessa Lynn Marie Burgess, with aggravated assault later that day.

Burgess died in hospital from his injuries six days later, on July 28, and an autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death.

Police say they conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, which led them to upgrade the aggravated assault charge to one of manslaughter against Vanessa Burgess.

She was arrested in the Fairview area of Halifax Wednesday and appeared in Halifax provincial court Thursday morning.

According to her Facebook profile, Vanessa Burgess is a graduate of Sir John A. MacDonald High School and NSCC.

David Burgess was a former teacher at the Nova Scotia Community College Akerley Campus in Dartmouth. He was also involved in local minor baseball.

Vanessa Burgess will remain in custody until her bail hearing next week.