Man accused of murdering triplet baby granted name suppression

Police say that the movements of Hinekawa Topia will be crucial in solving what happened to her. Photo / Supplied

A man accused of murdering a two-month-old triplet was granted interim name suppression when he appeared in court in Wanganui yesterday.

The 29-year-old local man was granted suppression by Judge Dugald Matheson in Wanganui District Court on the basis that revealing it would cause extreme hardship to him or anyone connected to him.

He is accused of murdering Hinekawa Moringa Topia on January 12 this year.

He faces other charges they were also suppressed.

Police launched a homicide investigation after Hinekawa was taken to Wanganui Hospital just before 1pm on the day she died.

She was not breathing and attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful. Police were contacted at 1.20pm.

A post-mortem examination found she had a head injury considered to be non-accidental.

Her siblings were subsequently placed in the care of Child Youth and Family.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said medical information had recently come to hand that ultimately resulted in the arrest yesterday.

Applications for photographs, recording or filming the accused in court were denied.

The man was remanded in custody for post-committal conference on September 13.

No bail application was made.