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Home / New Zealand

Families in shock as two babies found dead

James Ihaka
NZ Herald·
17 Nov, 2009 03:00 PM2 mins to read

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Two Waikato families are grieving after two babies died unexpectedly.

Eastern Waikato police are investigating the separate deaths of the two infants who possibly died overnight on Monday.

A 7-week-old boy was found dead at his home yesterday in Te Aroha and could not be revived.

Not long after emergency
services were called to a Morrinsville home after the parents of a 7-month-old girl tried to wake their daughter but could not rouse her.

Matamata Piako sub area supervisor Senior Sergeant Dana McDonald said neither death was considered suspicious.

"It's unfortunate they both came at the same time but they are not suspicious at all," he said.

"We are not instigating a homicide inquiry or anything like that ... it's just very, very tragic for both sets of parents and very distressing for the staff who attended, as most of them have young children too."

Hamilton coroner Peter Ryan said a post-mortem examination on the 7-week-old boy completed by a pathologist at Wellington Hospital yesterday showed nothing unusual.

While the cause of death had not been concluded and further tests were pending, the pathologist said there was no indication of intentional or accidental injuries.

"I haven't received the detailed reports but usually if there is something of concern that is flagged very quickly by police and there's nothing to indicate that at this stage ... it looks like it's going to be a natural cause," said Mr Ryan

He said the post-mortem examination on the 7-month-old girl would be performed this morning.

Samples from both bodies wouldbe sent to the ESR for furthertesting, which could take several weeks.

The coroner has yet to decide whether to open an inquiry into the deaths.

Mr McDonald said the police focus was now on supporting the families through their tragedies.

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