Girl who died after alleged assault named

Photo / APN

Police have named the five-year-old girl who was found dead in suspicious circumstances in Napier but are refusing to say much else.

She was Sahara Jayde Baker-Koro and her body has been returned to her family after a post-mortem examination today.

Sahara's body was found in bed by her family at the Riverbend Road house, in the suburb of Onekawa in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A 24-year-old man appeared in Napier District Court yesterday charged with assaulting Sahara and was remanded in custody without plea to reappear on January 12.

He was granted interim name suppression at least until his next appearance when he is likely to face more serious charges.

Police still had substantial inquiries to make into how Sahara died, Inspector Kevin Kalff said.

"Her mother, siblings and extended family are understandably grieving the death of a beautiful little girl."

Mr Kalff said police had finished going over the Onekawa house and would not comment on the relationship between the accused man and Sahara.

- NZPA