Baby's death touches hearts

A flower is placed on Moses' casket. Picture / Kenny Rodger

As the body of baby Moses lay in his casket yesterday, waiting to be claimed, flowers and soft toys piled up at the entrance to the Christian-run property in Hastings where his body was found.

A young mother named Belinda, who lives across the road, came with her son. They left a teddy bear and flowers.

"It is just so close to home," she said. "Everyone just thinks, 'Why couldn't we have heard anything or seen anything?"'

It has been five days since the newborn boy, whom police have named Moses, was found abandoned at the Heretaunga St East property and still his identity is a mystery.

His body was badly decomposed and police say he is probably Polynesian. A doctor said he was probably two days old when he died.

The body is under the coroner's guardianship until claimed by relatives, which police and doctors still hope will happen. Coroner Peter Dennehy said a burial would not happen until next week in case the mother came forward.

Detective Sergeant Luke Shadbolt said it was still not certain when or how the baby died.

Psychologist Jan Pryor said the mother might not have known she was pregnant. If so, she would have been under huge pressure and felt desperation and shame.