Baby girl seriously injured at Christchurch house dies

The house at the centre of the investigation. Photo / Supplied

A homicide investigation has been launched after an infant died in hospital from serious head injuries.

The girl, aged one, died shortly before 8.30pm yesterday with her parents at her bedside.

Police launched a major investigation after the girl was admitted to Christchurch Hospital on Tuesday night by her regular babysitter with assistance from her neighbour.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Anderson said they were now treating the death as a homicide. A post-mortem examination will be carried out today.

Blue-suited forensic experts spent yesterday searching a flat in Worcester St, Linwood.

A large blue tent has been erected in the front yard.

Today, they could be seen taking samples from the flat's window frames.

It's expected the scene examination at the property - and at another address in the city that police have not disclosed - will be completed today.

Mr Anderson said officers were working with the baby's parents, who were understandably upset at the tragic loss of their child.

The family had requested privacy while they grieve.

Mr Anderson said police were not in a position to make any further comment and would not speculate on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

"When police are in a position to make further comment another media release will be made."

Neighbours are shock over the incident. They said a Fijian-Indian couple moved there less than two months ago.

A cuddly toy and a bouquet of flowers were left at the scene by one neighbour this morning.

Many of the neighbours did not wish to be named but all spoke about the woman of the household hardly ever venturing outside.

Most say they didn't know there was a baby there. Only one woman had known.

"I used to see [the father believed to be in his 30s] carrying a baby in his arms and walk in and out of the front door," one woman said.

The woman of the house, in her mid-20s, is said to have been pregnant with a second child.

"They've only been there for about two months. I'd seen the girl probably six times but she never spoke or even looked at me. I thought she was pregnant but I never saw a baby there," one elderly neighbour said.

"It's just total shock. It's awful," he said.

"I've been here since 2001 and never had any trouble. It's always been a very quiet street."

One neighbour this morning told of hearing a commotion coming from that flat "around midnight" on Tuesday.

"A woman was shouting and it sounded like there was trouble," said the woman who was awake and had been sleeping with her bedroom window open.

She awoke in the morning to find police cars outside the property.

"It's such a tragedy. It's always worse when babies are involved."