Malcolm Bell died at 16 months old from suspected non-accidental injuries. Photograph / supplied
Malcolm Bell died at 16 months old from suspected non-accidental injuries. Photograph / supplied
A number of people contacted Oranga Tamariki with concerns about the welfare of Auckland toddler Malcolm Bell before he suffered the suspected abuse-related injuries that killed him.
Malcolm was just 16 months old when he died on June 29.
He was rushed to Starship Hospital six days earlier with serious injuries.
Doctors assessed the boy and, believing the injuries were not accidental, notified police.
Malcolm was one of six children and all of his siblings had previously been taken from his mother and are now in foster or whanau care.
After Malcolm died a homicide investigation was launched.
The Herald understands that in the weeks leading up to Malcolm's fatal injuries, at least two of his family members contacted Oranga Tamariki with concerns about his welfare.
Until today Oranga Tamariki would not be drawn on Malcolm's death, citing the police investigation.
However central Auckland regional manager Anna Palmer 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 OT has had with Savanna Bell in relation to any of her children.
But she confirmed his case and care would be scrutinised.
"We will be gathering information to understand if anything could have been done differently, and what we can learn from this tragedy.
"Malcolm's death has also been referred to a coroner who will look into the wider circumstances.
"The coroner will consider whether there are lessons that can be learned for the future."
The 51-year-old was said to be "shocked and horrified" that he had been charged.
The brother said the 51-year-old had been "wrongfully accused".
Childrens Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft. NZME file photograph
In May Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft announced a review into Oranga Tamariki's child uplift policies relating to care and protection issues for Māori babies.
It follows controversy over the attempted uplift last month of a young Māori mother's baby from Hawke's Bay Hospital.
The "thematic review" will look specifically at policies around Māori infants aged 0-3 months.
Judge Becroft said while the review would initially focus on the 0-3 months age group, he could not rule out extending the review to older children.
He said his office had a statutory mandate to investigate.
"If we didn't do it we would be asleep at the wheel," he said.
The same day Judge Becroft announced his review, Minister for Children Tracey Martin announced an internal inquiry by Oranga Tamariki into its processes, specifically around the Hasting family's case.
Since the announcement, three Maori children have been killed in alleged abuse-related incidents.
Last night Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters weighed in on the issue, saying some criticisms against Oranga Tamariki are unfair.
Peters was responding to questions about a planned rally at Parliament today by a group trying to stop Oranga Tamariki putting Māori babies into state care – or as the Hands Off Our Tamariki Network calls it, "stealing Māori children."
"If you ask me personally what my view is let me say that three Māori children have been killed since this issue broke," he said at a post-Cabinet press conference in the Beehive yesterday.
"I don't see many headlines about that and that's a tragedy."
