Dead baby's mother charged with manslaughter

A student who gave birth in secret in the early hours of Saturday morning has been charged with manslaughter over the baby girl's death.

Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Wakelin of the Dunedin CIB said the 20-year-old would appear in Dunedin District Court this afternoon.

The woman, who was suffering from severe internal bleeding, was taken to Dunedin Hospital on Saturday around 2.30pm after her friends became concerned about her health.

It was not until seven hours later that hospital staff were able to confirm she had given birth, and they alerted police.

The baby's body was found around 11pm, wrapped in a plastic bag, in the grounds of Studholme College, where the woman - an overseas student - was a resident.

Mr Wakelin said police had completed their investigation into the baby's death, and as a result of post mortem findings and an interview with the mother, she had today been charged with manslaughter of her daughter.

He said it had been "a difficult investigation emotionally" for staff, dealing with the death of a new-born, as they were all parents.

Police would not be making any further comment on the matter as it was now before the courts, he said.

- NZPA