Police: No 'anti-nark culture' in our town

The house where 6-month-old Serenity-Jay Scott-Dinnington died. Photo / Christine Cornege

Ngaruawahia police deny there is an "anti-nark culture" in the town, despite residents saying they have been targeted for standing up against child abuse after the death of a baby girl there.

Serenity Jay Scott-Dinnington was admitted to Auckland's Starship Hospital last month. She died two days after her life-support was switched off.

Senior Sergeant Mark Greene, who is in charge of the homicide inquiry, said provisional post mortem examination results showed Serenity died from traumatic brain injuries.

A Ngaruawahia resident, who wishes only to be known as Cherie, said she had been branded a "nark" by some in the community and that other residents had also been victimised for taking a stand against child abuse, the North Waikato Times reported.

Western Waikato area commander Inspector Paul Carpenter said he did not believe such a culture existed and that the incidents were isolated.

Ngaruawahia residents were generally happy to communicate with police and took Serenity's death, and other crimes, seriously, he said.

"They're a very good community. Whenever we have a serious incident in that area they come to the fore and they're very obliging. They're a community that does rally together and they're very strong."

Senior Sergeant Mark Toomey, of Ngaruawahia police, said the suggestion the community was compliant in child abuse was creating concerns in the town.

"The attention that's been drawn from Serenity's death makes it seem like it's a common practice in Ngaruawahia, that we beat our children.

"(The community) wants it to be known that this was a very tragic and unfortunate event but it could happen anywhere, it's not something that's localised to Ngaruawahia."

Mr Greene would not comment further on the investigation but said police would release a statement later this week.

Serenity's family have been told by medical staff and police that her injuries were similar to shaken baby syndrome.

- NZPA