KEY POINTS:
A baby boy who died last week from non-accidental injuries sustained an earlier set of wounds suspicious enough to cause a Northland GP to alert health authorities.
Sixteen-month-old Riley Justin Osborne of Kerikeri died in Starship Hospital last week from head injuries described as "horrific" by police.
A post-mortem examination has revealed the cause but detectives are keeping the results secret because the investigation is at a "crucial" stage.
The Herald on Sunday has learned the examination found older injuries, but it is unclear whether they will be part of the homicide inquiry.
Riley lived with his 22-year-old mother Jayde Osborne, a 21-year-old stepfather and a family friend. Charges are yet to be laid.
The Herald on Sunday can also reveal a Northland GP checked Riley after an earlier incident and referred him to Whangarei Hospital for further treatment.
The injuries were diagnosed as accidental by hospital doctors after accepting an explanation from Riley's caregivers.
Child, Youth and Family was not alerted to the earlier injuries. A Northland DHB spokeswoman was unaware of earlier treatment at Whangarei Hospital and declined to comment further.
"I imagine that is something that will come out of the investigation."
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Sergeant Rhys Johnston, declined to comment on the older injuries.
Inspector Marty Ruth, head of the Whangarei CIB, declined to say whether an arrest would be made soon but said police were not seeking further information from the public.
Yesterday, several bunches of flowers lay at the front door of the brick unit on Cobham Rd where Riley lived. Neighbours refuted suggestions the home was a "party house" and said Osborne was a "good mum".
"She liked to have a few drinks, like everyone around here, but no more than anyone else," said a male neighbour. "She always looked after her child. I can't believe it."
Riley died on Tuesday, four days after being flown from Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa.
The Northland hospital alerted CYF to the life-threatening injuries immediately and police began investigating the following day.
Riley underwent emergency neurosurgery to relieve swelling on his brain and was in paediatric intensive care until his death.
Police had been called on previous occasions to the Cobham Rd address, but not in relation to the child.
Dr Patrick Kelly, head of the child protection unit at Starship Hospital, last month told the Herald on Sunday doctors were reluctant to intervene in potential abuse.
"There's a willingness to give people the benefit of doubt.
"You can understand that. But you're taking a risk with the health of a young child who can't tell you what's going on."
Kelly is pushing for a child protection team similar to Starship's in every district health board and said doctors, Plunket nurses and lead maternity carers need more training to identify child abuse.
Acting CYF deputy chief executive Marama Wiki said the department had no ongoing role in Riley's care but it would continue to support the family and assist police.
"The loss of any young life is always a tragedy and my condolences and sympathy go out to go those who loved him."
- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: Claire Rorke
