http://www.stuff.co.nz/4800519a11.html

Police called to house before boy’s injuries

Monday, 22 December 2008

Police have previously been called out to the Northland home of a 15-month-old boy who remains in a serious condition in hospital today with head injuries.

Neighbours said police were often called after all-night parties at the Kerikeri house where the boy lived with his 21-year-old mother, her partner and at least one other person, The New Zealand Herald reported today.

The boy’s birth father was “not in the picture”, police said.

The house is on Cobham Rd, the same road where murdered teenager Liberty Templeman’s body was found last month.

Kerikeri police began a criminal inquiry at the weekend into the boy’s injuries, which are expected to leave him blind and with permanent brain damage.

The boy was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa and then flown to Auckland’s Starship Hospital on Friday night, where he underwent urgent surgery.

The child is now in the custody of Child, Youth and Family Services.

Far North area commander Inspector Chris Scahill said police had not been called out in relation to the boy in the past.

He did not know at this stage if the boy’s parents were known to police and establishing that would be part of the inquiry.

Police yesterday conducted a detailed scene examination at the house to try to establish if that was where the boy sustained his injuries.

They also spoke to the mother and other relatives at the boy’s bedside at Starship.

Mr Scahill said police were continuing their inquiries with the boy’s family and other people relevant to the investigation.

They appealed for anybody with knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the boy’s injuries to contact Kerikeri police.