Police refer toddler's death to coroner

Police have referred to the coroner the death of a toddler in suspicious circumstances from head injuries.

A police investigation into the death of 22-month-old Hail-Sage McClutchie in 2009 had not conclusively shown any degree of criminal offending that caused or contributed to her death, Detective Inspector Chris Page said.

Hail-Sage died after she was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance, from a Morrinsville home, with severe head injuries.

The case was peer-reviewed and forensic experts were consulted within New Zealand and overseas, he said.

Mr Page said the media had made comparisons to other high-profile infant homicides but this was inappropriate.

"Unlike the other cases, we have received the co-operation of both sides of the family involved in this tragedy and we will continue to work closely with them so we can discover what has occurred to help bring the family closure."

The matter would be referred to the coroner to determine the cause of Hail-Sage's death.

- NZPA