Mother on murder charge after baby dies in hospital

The mother of a 6-day-old baby boy has been charged with murder after the infant died in Hawkes Bay Regional Hospital yesterday.

The 29-year-old Napier woman appeared in the Hastings District Court yesterday afternoon and was remanded without plea to a secure facility in Porirua for a psychiatric assessment.

Detective Senior Sergeant Sam Aberahama of Hastings said the police were not seeking anybody else in connection with the death.

The baby was born in the hospital and had never been out of it, Mr Aberahama said. He could not elaborate on the baby's injuries or the nature of the alleged assault.

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday and Mr Aberahama expected some of its findings today.

Police were speaking to hospital staff and family and friends of the woman.

Hawkes Bay District Health Board chief executive Chris Clarke said the baby's death would be subject to a coroner's inquiry and an internal investigation.

- NZPA, STAFF REPORTER