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Police are investigating the death of a baby brought into Tokoroa Hospital this morning with severe burns.
Detective Sergeant Kevan Verry of Tokoroa police said the 22-month-old girl was admitted to the emergency department this morning and despite the best efforts of medical staff died shortly after.
"At this stage the death is being treated as suspicious," he said.
Three doctors and several nurses worked on the girl, Tokoroa Hospital acting manager Nora Creigh-Smith said.
The toddler was admitted to the hospital at 9.50am and died at 10.55am.
Staff were distraught and their thoughts and prayers were with the girl's family, Ms Creigh-Smith said.
Counselling had been offered to staff, Waikato District Health Board health services general manager Jan Adams said.
Many of the staff had families themselves and the death of such a young child always hit them particularly hard, she said.
Inquiries were under way into the circumstances and events leading up to the baby girl's death.
- NZPA
