‘Hysterical’ screaming heard from house before baby’s death
A neighbour has described hearing loud screaming on Saturday when a Waikato 10-month-old baby was rushed to hospital after suffering “violent, blunt-force trauma”.
The 10-month-old boy was brought into Te Kūiti Hospital unconscious on Saturday afternoon, Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said.
“Tragically, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, he was unable to be resuscitated,” Pitkethley said.
An initial examination showed the baby boy suffered “violent, blunt-force trauma”.
“We believe these injuries were not accidental,” Pitkethley said.
The incident happened on a quiet cul de sac in Te Kūiti. Yesterday morning police were still at the house, which sits at the end of the street.
One police car could be seen on the street, with another in the driveway, while two police officers stood on the road.
Neighbour Dave Roebuck told Stuff he'd been having a cup of coffee on Saturday when he heard “hysterical” screaming.
He said a car raced down the street, picked up the person who was screaming from the house, and raced back out. “I guess, that's when they went to hospital.”
Roebuck said it was “the best street in Te Kūiti”, adding that it was quiet, with no incidents.
The district mayor says the baby’s death was “a huge shock to the community”.
“We have our tragedies from time to time, but no community wants to see a 10-month-old baby apparently suffer like this baby did,” Waitomo District mayor John Robertson told Morning Report yesterday.
A homicide investigation was under way and Oranga Tamariki were “assisting police” in relation to the “violent” death.
The full extent of the boy’s injuries would be determined by a post-mortem, police said.
In response to questions from Stuff, Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive service delivery Rachel Leota said the agency was notified of the boy’s death on Sunday.
“We are assisting police in trying to understand the circumstances that led to this.
“However, because this is a police-led investigation we are unable to comment further at this time.”
While the investigation is in its early stages, Pitkethley said police had spoken to the boy’s family – including his parents – since his death.
“They are working with us as we establish what occurred in this young child’s life and how he came to be so badly injured.”
Over the coming days, police will conduct a scene examination of a Te Kūiti address, which has been under police guard since Saturday afternoon.
Te Kūiti locals can also expect to see police in the town making enquires.
“The death of any child is a shock to the community, and we know many in Te Kūiti will be affected by this. The public can help by talking with us; we need to hear from anyone who has information that could help the investigation.”
A neighbour told Stuff the baby and his parents had lived in the house for about 10 months. They would sometimes see the baby around, but not often. She believed the couple were staying in the house with other people.