Death of premature baby boy treated as suspicious

Police at the crime scene in Green Bay, Auckland today. Photo / Greg Bowker

A premature baby boy was found dead and naked on a concrete path in West Auckland in the fourth suspected child abuse case in three weeks.

The newborn was discovered at the home of two Indian women - a mother and daughter - by emergency services on Barron Drive, Green Bay, about 4.45pm on Monday.

An autopsy was held yesterday but police said they would not reveal the cause of death as they continued their inquiries. A pathologist determined the boy was born four to 10 weeks early.

The two women had moved into the house a few weeks ago.

The police spoke to next-door neighbour Donna Muru on Monday night about the death

"They said they were investigating the suspicious death of a baby," Mrs Muru said.

"They asked us if we'd seen anything suspicious, did we see any behaviour that made us think something weird was going on."

But they hadn't.

Ms Muru said the child's body was put in a stationwagon and driven away about 9pm.

Another Barron Drive resident, John Morgan, said the area was usually quiet. "The kids sitting at the park are looking across at a house that's all taped off surrounded by cops, it's not very nice."

The one-storey house - opposite a playground, a community hall and a Plunket - remained cordoned off yesterday as forensic workers combed the scene.

Tarpaulins covered where the boy had lain as well as a wooden deck on the other side of the property. The curtains were drawn and police tape encircled the property.

Detective Sergeant Sean Hyland-Mills of the Waitakere CIB said police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the death.

"Medical professionals and relatives are being spoken to ... We are getting the full support of all persons involved."