Baby's family distressed

Police still trying to establish exactly what caused the injuries that led to the death of a four-month-old Wairoa baby at the weekend expect the investigation to be a long one.

The baby boy, who died in Starship Hospital overnight Friday, was rushed to hospital on April 13. A spokesperson confirmed the baby had head injuries.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Greig, heading the investigation into the death, said results from a post-mortem examination, establishing the cause of the death, are unlikely to be known for several weeks.

Mr Greig yesterday would not discuss the nature of the injuries or whether the possibility of charges depended on the results of the autopsy. However, he told Hawke's Bay Today the post mortem was particularly important to the inquiry.

He confirmed no charges had yet been laid, but in relation to the possibility, would not comment other than saying: "I don't want to even go there at this stage."

Police were not releasing any details relating to the identity of the four-month-old boy but Mr Greig said they are "very happy" with the co-operation of the family which had been hit by the tragedy.

"This is obviously a very distressing time for them and overnight it has become much more distressing," he said on Saturday. Police were hoping the body will be released to the family today, and the name of the child would also then be released.

The boy was rushed to Wairoa Hospital by ambulance from an address in Lucknow St, Wairoa, mid-morning on April 13, and transferred later that day to Hawke's Bay Hospital in Hastings, and the next day to Auckland's Starship children's hospital, where he died.

Sources in the town have told Hawke's Bay Today few in the area seem to know or have heard anything about what happened.

The house was empty this week. Several residents in the town said no one was saying anything about it.

"We only know what we read in the newspapers."

Sources have also told Hawke's Bay Today that another child in the family was cared for by friends for some time as the family dealt with the trauma, and as police closed their home as an investigation scene.

Police were also working with Child, Youth and Family on the matter, he said, but CYF central regional director John Langley confirmed: "None of the children in this family are in our care."

The police team had largely taken a break yesterday but was expecting to continue active inquiries today.