Murder-case baby unwell in hospital before death

HASTINGS - The 6-day-old baby boy allegedly murdered by his mother in Hawkes Bay Hospital last week had been suffering from respiratory problems before his death on Thursday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Sam Aberahama, of Hastings, said the baby was transferred to the hospital's Special Care Baby Unit because of respiratory problems, before being moved back to the Maternity Unit, where the incident leading to the baby's death is alleged to have taken place.

About 25 hospital staff are being interviewed by police and as part of a separate Hawkes Bay District Health Board investigation.

The child's mother, a 29-year-old Napier beneficiary, has been charged with his murder. She appeared in court last week, where her name was suppressed.

She is now in a secure psychiatric facility at Porirua.

Mr Aberahama said hospital staff had elected to speak to their union representatives before talking to police.

The health board inquiry was expected to take two or three weeks and would look at the circumstances leading to the baby's death, how staff managed the incident, and what could be learned from the situation.

An autopsy revealed the baby died of severe head injuries, allegedly inflicted in the maternity ward on Wednesday night.

Hospital staff called police about 7.30pm, and the child died the following morning.

A tangi for the baby was held at Napier on Saturday.

Mr Aberahama said police were represented at the tangi, and the boy's family were "obviously extremely distressed".

- NZPA