Police talk to student after baby found dead

Dunedin police are investigating the death of a newborn baby girl discovered wrapped in a plastic bag in the grounds of a student hall of residence.

Dunedin Hospital staff alerted police after a 20-year-old woman was admitted about 2.30pm on Saturday with severe internal bleeding.

Five police searched the University of Otago hostel and found the body in the garden about 11pm.

It has been established the Studholme Hall student, who was from overseas, gave birth early on Saturday.

"We understand the baby was born in the bathroom at the residence. We have not spoken to the young girl yet so I'm unable to confirm that," Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Wakelin said last night.

The second-year student's pregnancy was full-term or close to full-term, he said.

An autopsy on the baby was carried out yesterday afternoon.

Police spoke to the student briefly yesterday afternoon. They planned to speak to her again today, said Mr Wakelin.

Hospital staff were initially concerned for the student's safety because of the amount of blood she had lost but her physical condition has now stabilised.

"My understanding is she received a lot of help from students at the hall after the baby was born in relation to her health and wellbeing, but that no one knew she was pregnant prior to having the baby," Mr Wakelin said.

Support staff, including a student health representative and university chaplain Greg Hughson, were at the hall to help students deal with the incident.

Studholme Hall head of college Sagato (Ziggy) Lesa told TV One last night that staff and students were very distressed.

"Our hearts go out to her and her family."

University spokeswoman Jill Rutherford said the student's family, who lived overseas, had been contacted and the woman's mother was expected to arrive today.

"It's just tragic ... Our concern is very much for the other students in the hall and the young woman involved. She's still in hospital. The head of Studholme went to see her and other support people from the university, including a lawyer, who was present when police came to speak to her," Ms Rutherford said.

The student's immediate friends, including those who took her to hospital when they became concerned about her health, were receiving counselling, she said.

A meeting took place at Studholme Hall at 5pm yesterday to inform students about the situation and the services available to help them deal with the incident.

The baby's mother was in a stable condition in hospital last night and would remain there today, Mr Wakelin said.

He did not know whether extra security had been put in place at the hospital but said police did not have any concerns for her safety.

Investigations into the baby's death, including how she came to be placed in the garden, would continue today, he said. It was too early to say if charges would be laid.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES