Infection likely cause of toddler's death

Stephen Lawson with Stevve, who died after being rushed to hospital.

Father says he has suffered six weeks of hell

A homicide investigation into an Auckland toddler's death has been scaled down after medical evidence cast doubt on whether the child's injuries caused her death.

Stevve Lawson suffered seizures at her mother Ajhalia Trotter's home in Wellsford on April 30 and was airlifted to Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland where she died three days later, a fortnight after her first birthday.

The Herald on Sunday can reveal the child had a viral infection. Her father, Stephen Lawson, said doctors told him she also had a haematoma, a fracture to her skull, bruising on her forehead and deep tissue bruising above her buttocks.

Stephen Lawson was told the morning after Stevve was admitted to hospital that she was brain dead.

"They pulled the tubes, she was gone. Her brain had gone, she was just gone. The machines were doing the work for her," he said. After the death, police launched a homicide investigation but Lawson was told by police on Thursday this week it had been "scaled down".

Stephen Lawson — who also has a 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son who live with him — wants answers after hearing about the change in police focus. "I don't know what to make of it. I've had six weeks of hell. I've turned grey.

"The first week I was in tears and then I went numb. It's just up and down from there," he said.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hooper confirmed new medical evidence meant the investigation would be reviewed with the intention of referring it to the Coroner.

Outspoken veteran lawyer Eb Leary, who was hired by Trotter's family, said the police handling of the case had been poor from the outset. He described the investigators as "cardboard cut-out cops".

Before her death, Stevve was the centre of a custody battle between her parents who split last September.

Lawson said he had seen the girl the day before she was airlifted to hospital.

"She was a little bit crook. She was just down, she wasn't her normal self," he said.

In August last year Trotter and Lawson were both charged with assault after a fight at their home.

Trotter was discharged without conviction in December. Lawson said he will apply for a discharge when he reappears in court next week.

Trotter was charged with assault but this was later withdrawn by a judge.

Last night, Stevve's grandfather Perry Trotter made a statement on his Facebook page confirming the child had a virus and the investigation was being reviewed.

"We are of course greatly relieved," he wrote. "Please uphold Ajahlia and pray that she will continue to be strong."