Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a 10-week-old baby boy in Auckland, authorities have confirmed.
Detective Inspector Karen Bright of Counties Manukau CIB said police were notified after the infant was taken to Pukekohe Maternity Hospital in a critical condition on 2 January.
Hospital staff alerted police, and the baby was subsequently transferred to Starship Hospital, where it was determined he had suffered non-survivable injuries.
“Tragically, the baby passed away at the hospital on Wednesday, 8 January,” Bright said.
A 27-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man have since been jointly charged with ill-treatment or neglect of a child.
Both are due to reappear in Manukau District Court on 8 May.
Suppression orders are in place protecting the identity of the child and the two people charged.
Detective Inspector Bright said the investigation remains ongoing and that further charges are being considered.
“As the matter is before the court, police are unable to comment further,” she said.
