Baby abuse investigation: 'Somebody knows what happened'

Police are investigating how a 4-month-old baby girl received significant injuries. They are appealing for anyone in her family or beyond to speak up. Photo / File

Police investigating how a 4-month-old Howick baby received 16 fractures to her tiny body hope that someone will come forward and tell them what happened.

Last week the Herald revealed the baby girl was injured over a period of time and when she was finally admitted to hospital she had fractures to her skull, arms, legs and ribs.

Police described the injuries as "significant" and along with medical experts, believe they were not accidental and someone deliberately harmed her.

Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Sutherland said the investigation was ongoing and the baby's parents and wider family were still part of that.

"Somebody knows what's happened to that child," he said.

The Herald visited the girl's parents at an address in Howick yesterday.

A woman who answered the door quickly went into the house when the Herald asked for the baby's parents by name.

Another woman demanded to know why the Herald wanted to speak to them, before closing the door and saying "don't come back here".

Sutherland said the family had provided limited information to the police.

He appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Last week he confirmed that the baby's parents took her to their doctor on February 18.

The doctor, concerned at the state of the child, referred her to Middlemore Hospital where she was admitted.

There, medical staff established that she had 16 fractures of various ages - meaning the injuries were not inflicted during one incident.

"The fractures have been described by medical experts as being of varying ages and classically associated with non-accidental injury," Sutherland said last week.

"Police have not yet charged anyone, however our inquiries are ongoing.

"We are now urging anyone with information which can assist our investigation to do the right thing and contact police."

The child is recovering well, Sutherland said.

She is in the care of the Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki.

Can you help?

If you have information about how this baby girl was injured - on any occasion - please contact the police.

Information can be passed on to the Counties Manukau Child Protection Team on 09 213 8571, or anonymously through the Crimestoppers reporting line on 0800 555 111.

Members of the public can also send police a private message on Facebook by clicking here.

If you're worried about a child you are urged to contact Oranga Tamariki immediately on 0508 326 459; or email contact@mvcot.govt.nz.

If the child or young person is in immediate danger, call police on 111.