Boy, 13, in custody after baby injured

Police say a 13-year-old boy has been referred to Child, Youth and Family (CYF) after a baby girl received critical head and chest injuries in Invercargill earlier this week.

Emergency services were called to the seven-month-old's Bay Road home late on Tuesday night.

The baby was admitted to Southland Hospital having seizures and was found to have a brain bleed and broken ribs. She was flown to Auckland's Starship children's hospital where she was still in a critical condition today.

Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy, of Invercargill CIB, said inquiries led police to talk to the 13-year-old relative, who was now in CYF custody. The matter had been referred to Youth Aid.

It was not clear how the girl suffered the injuries but she may have been shaken, Mr McCloy said.

- NZPA