Oxford baby death: Mother accused of neglect named for first time

Michael Steele with his son Kevin Chen, who died suddenly four months ago. Steele is now demanding answers after saying he raised red flags with Oranga Tamariki before the tragedy.

A mother charged with child neglect after a baby died in “unexplained” circumstances six months ago can now be named.

Two-month-old Kevin Chen died at a house in Oxford, North Canterbury - about 70km northwest of Christchurch - on August 5.

Police originally treated the sudden death as “unexplained”.

Kevin’s mother Yixia Chen was later charged with ill-treatment or neglect of a child under 18 years of age.

She also faces a charge of possessing or using methamphetamine utensils.

Chen first appeared at Christchurch District Court on December 4 where she was granted interim name suppression and remanded on bail.

She was back in court this afternoon for a brief appearance.

Defence counsel Phillip Allan said there would be no application to continue interim suppression of name.

The lawyer said Chen also pleaded not guilty to both charges and would challenge the allegations at trial.

Judge Michael Crosbie confirmed that suppression would now lapse.

He remanded Chen on continued bail until March 17 for a case review hearing. A trial date will be set later.

The boy’s father Michael Steele earlier told the Herald that little Kevin was “a dear wee soul”.

He said his life had been a living hell since learning of Kevin’s sudden death, having seen his son just days earlier.

Kurt Bayer is NZ Herald South Island Head of News based in Christchurch. He is a senior journalist who joined the Herald in 2011.