Police probe baby's death

Counties Manukau police are investigating the death of a baby boy, who died soon after being delivered by a teenager.

Detective Senior Sergeant Sue Schwalger said the 17-year-old girl gave birth at her Manurewa home yesterday morning. Her family had not been aware that she was pregnant.

Ms Schwalger said an ambulance was called to the house after the girl collapsed. Police were then called once it was discovered the girl had given birth and that the baby was dead.

Ms Schwalger said the baby had been full term. It died because it had "not been given the proper attention" but there had been no attempt to hide or dispose of the baby's body.

Police are treating the death as suspicious but are yet to decide if the girl will be charged.

This year a 23-year-old woman was charged with concealing the body of her stillborn son after she dumped him in a Hastings garden. She was discharged without conviction.