Assault charge after girl, 5, dies

Police outside the house where the girl's body was found. Photo / NZPA

A man has been charged with assault following the death of a five-year-old girl in Napier overnight.

Area commander, Inspector Kevin Kalff, said the girl was found dead in her bed at 1.50am today by her family at their Riverbend Road home.

A 24-year-old man who lived in the same house would appear in Napier District Court today charged with her assault, Mr Kalff said.

A crime scene examination will be carried out today by police and ESR forensic staff from Wellington.

A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of the girl's death was expected to take place tomorrow, police said.

- NZPA and NZHERALD STAFF