Phillip John Welsh, pictured during his first High Court appearance, can now be revealed as the man accused of murdering baby boy Malcolm Bell. Photo / Sam Hurley
Phillip John Welsh, pictured during his first High Court appearance, can now be revealed as the man accused of murdering baby boy Malcolm Bell. Photo / Sam Hurley
An Auckland man accused of murdering a 16-month-old boy can now be named before a trial next year.
Phillip John Welsh appeared this morning in the High Court at Auckland after being arrested and charged with murdering Malcolm Bell.
The now 52-year-old can be named after an interimsuppression order lapsed for the accused baby killer.
Welsh, who has already pleaded not guilty to murder, is on bail but failed to front for a brief procedural hearing this morning.
Defence lawyer David Niven said his client was stuck in traffic.
Justice Timothy Brewer issued a warrant for Welsh's arrest but allowed him an hour to get to the historic courthouse on Parliament St or face being held in custody.
A trial has been scheduled for August next year, while Welsh is due to appear in court again in February.
The Herald earlier revealed that at least two people had contacted Oranga Tamariki with concerns about the welfare of baby Malcolm before he suffered the suspected abuse-related injuries which led to his death on June 29.
Six days before he died, the toddler was rushed to Starship Hospital, where doctors assessed him and, believing the injuries were not accidental, notified police.
A homicide investigation was launched by police shortly after.
Malcolm was one of six children.
All of his siblings had previously been taken from his mother and are now in foster or whānau care.
Malcolm Bell died six days after he was rushed to hospital. Photo / Supplied
The Herald understands that in the weeks before Malcolm's death, at least two of his family members contacted Oranga Tamariki with concerns about his welfare.
Oranga Tamariki initially would not be drawn on Malcolm's death, citing the police investigation.
However, central Auckland regional manager Anna Palmer later spoke on the matter when questioned by the Herald.
"Our social workers were aware that people were worried about Malcolm's situation, and were working to provide support to him and his whānau prior to his death," she said.
"The tragic death of Malcolm Bell has affected many, and our thoughts are with those who loved him."
Palmer could not go into the specifics of the concerns raised or speak further to the involvement Oranga Tamariki has had with Savanna Bell in relation to any of her children.
"Malcolm's death has also been referred to a coroner who will look into the wider circumstances," Palmer said.
