A child abuse team was alerted after the toddler's injuries raised suspicion. Photo / Martin Sykes
A child abuse team was alerted after the toddler's injuries raised suspicion. Photo / Martin Sykes
KEY POINTS:
Police were today examining the Auckland home of a three-year-old boy fighting for his life in Starship Children's Hospital.
It is understood the 3-year-old Avondale boy suffered the injuries while in the care of his family early this week.
The family are believed to have sought advice fromrelatives in Glen Innes before the boy was taken to Starship hospital on Monday afternoon.
Police were alerted to the possible case of child abuse by medical authorities at 4.30pm.
The Herald understands the boy has several injuries, including serious head injuries.
The boy is in a drug-induced coma at Starship in a critical condition.
Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the Auckland police child abuse team were today carrying out a scene examination at the boy's West Auckland home.
It was not known if the boy's family were allowed to visit him in hospital. Some parents have been asked to stay away from injured children during the early stages of similar investigations.
A Child Youth and Family spokeswoman said the boy's siblings were in a "safe and secure" environment pending the results of the police investigation.
If the boy dies from his injuries, he could join a growing list of children under the age of five who have died as a result of child abuse.
This year there have been at least three cases, the most recent of which occurred last month when a 22-month-old Dunedin girl's mother was charged with murder, three days after the toddler died.
In April 3-year-old Dylan Hohepa Tonga Rimoni died in Starship hospital from unexplained head injuries caused at his Drury home.
On New Year's Day 11-week-old Tahani Mahomed died from head injuries that were inflicted at her Otahuhu home.
Both of the baby's parents are facing charges in relation to her death.
The Government is spending $14 million on a campaign to try to make family violence socially unacceptable.
Part of the campaign has included the "It's not OK" anti-violence television advertisements.
