logo
Three-month old baby suffered nine fractures to her body in Hutt Valley, police reveal

Three-month old baby suffered nine fractures to her body in Hutt Valley, police reveal

RNZ News6 hours ago
Police said the baby girl had a broken arm, which was unusual for a three-month-old.
Photo:
RNZ / Richard Tindiller
A three-month-old baby suffered nine fractures, including to her ribcage, ankle and arm, police have revealed.
Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Wescott said on Thursday police were notified a three-month-old baby
had been brought to hospital by its family
in Hutt Valley on June 14.
"The baby girl had a broken arm, which appeared an unusual injury for such a young baby.
Do you know more? Email
sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz
"Further examination has taken place at the hospital, which has identified multiple further fractures throughout the baby's upper and lower body. Police are investigating the circumstances of how these fractures and injuries have occurred - we do not believe the injuries could have been sustained accidentally."
On Monday, Wescott said the baby had sustained nine fractures, including throughout her ribcage and a fracture to her ankle and upper arm.
"Some of these injuries occurred at different times, and Police are working tirelessly to find the truth about how the injuries were sustained.
"We do not believe that these injuries could have been accidental."
The baby's condition was improving, Wescott said but police continued to ask for anyone who knows anything to come forward.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Police via 105, quoting file number 250614/8509.
You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Massey University aviation student Marc Dmello accused of sharing child abuse videos from campus
Massey University aviation student Marc Dmello accused of sharing child abuse videos from campus

RNZ News

time2 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Massey University aviation student Marc Dmello accused of sharing child abuse videos from campus

By Jeremy Wilkinson, Open Justice reporter of Marc Dmello is an aspiring pilot and was studying a Bachelor of Aviation before transferring to Aviation Management. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone A Massey University student and aspiring pilot has been accused of sharing videos on social media of children being sexually abused. Until now, aviation student Marc Dmello, 20, hasn't been able to be named. While he was on the Palmerston North campus, Dmello is accused of using five separate accounts on an overseas-based platform to send the videos to other site users. The website detected the activity and filed reports with the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a non-governmental organisation based in the United States, which forwarded the reports to the New Zealand Customs Service. Customs then identified that the alleged offending had occurred at Massey University in Palmerston North. A warrant was executed in December last year at Dmello's home, and a forensic examination of his laptop and mobile phone was conducted. Dmello is now facing five representative charges of exporting an objectionable publication and five representative charges of distributing objectionable publications. He unsuccessfully sought name suppression during a hearing in the Palmerston North District Court but appealed that decision to the High Court. The High Court dismissed his appeal on 5 June and the appeal period for that ruling has now expired, meaning that NZME can now name him. According to Justice Karen Grau's ruling, Dmello is an aspiring pilot and was studying a Bachelor of Aviation before transferring to Aviation Management. The ruling notes that due to family circumstances back in India he began drinking more than usual and missed classes, which caused him to fail three papers. If he failed more papers he would not be able to continue studying which would have breached his visa conditions, so he transferred courses which he described as a "longer, but cheaper and easier route to gain an education in the field of aviation". Dmello likened his situation to medical students who study an undergraduate degree in science in an attempt to gain postgraduate admission to medical school. He said this route would set him back eight years and disadvantage him professionally, as he said that airlines prefer to hire younger pilots. Dmello fought to keep his name suppressed to avoid employment issues when he finished his studies. After his arrest, he was remanded in custody as his flatmates refused to have him near their children due to the allegations. While he has elected trial by jury, the charges remain as allegations, which Dmello emphasised in his submissions to the court seeking suppression. He said the way his flatmates reacted was of significant concern. "This is exactly the attitude I expect employers will have if they find out about these allegations," he told the court. As part of his submissions, Dmello said he believed that if his name was published, it was "almost certain" he would never be hired by an airline. Defence lawyer Josh Harvey argued commercial airlines will not hire Dmello if there are public articles naming him, even if he's acquitted of those charges at trial. Harvey provided evidence from the New Zealand Airline Pilots Association, the country's largest pilot union, that said if Dmello lost name suppression, it would effectively render him unemployable. However, Justice Grau said Dmello was still in a very early stage of his training and any effect on his career was too speculative to meet the test for continued name suppression. "Should Mr Dmello be successful in obtaining his qualification as a pilot, he will be subject to a "fit and proper person" test," Justice Grau said. "Notwithstanding the evidence provided, I am unable to accept that, if Mr Dmello was eventually acquitted, a potential employer would inevitably go beyond that test and take into account publication of these allegations, at least without seeking comment." In her judgment, Justice Grau said that by the time Dmello graduated, he would be 28 years old, and the allegations - if they did not proceed to a conviction - would not necessarily prevent him from becoming a pilot as long as he met all of the other requirements. * This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .

Cell tower significantly damaged in Central Otago
Cell tower significantly damaged in Central Otago

RNZ News

time4 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Cell tower significantly damaged in Central Otago

Police are seeking information after a cellular tower in rural Central Otago was significantly damaged. Photo: RNZ Police are seeking information after a cellular tower in rural Central Otago was significantly damaged. Damage to the tower along State Highway 8's Lindis Pass-Tarra Road, between Forest Range Station and Goodger Road, was first reported about 10.50am on Monday. Detective Phill Hamlin said the tower provides cell service to residents and visitors to the area. "Cellular service is especially critical in this rural and alpine area," he said. "Rural areas tend to rely on fewer cell towers to cover larger areas, and damage to these towers can cause significant reduction or complete loss of cell service in the area." Police have asked for anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour at or near the tower to contact police immediately. "We are also asking for anyone who travelled along Lindis Pass-Tarras Road between 7am and 1pm on 6 July, and has dashcam footage, to please get in touch." Please use the reference number 250707/0047. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Man caught stealing copper from Old Horowhenua Hospital
Man caught stealing copper from Old Horowhenua Hospital

RNZ News

time5 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Man caught stealing copper from Old Horowhenua Hospital

By Kajal Nair , RNZ Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon A man allegedly tried to steal copper piping from the Old Horowhenua Hospital has been caught, thanks to a caretaker. The caretaker spotted the man at the hospital complex on Saturday morning and called the police. The police said the man fled the scene, leaving behind bags of copper. Police were making enquiries in the area which encouraged the suspect to hand himself in later. The offender is now facing five charges of burglary and is due to appear in the Levin District court on Monday. The old hospital buildings, now used by community groups, have been targeted several times in the recent months, police said. On Thursday, the main water supply to the site was cut off during another burglary attempt and the damage repairs were estimated to be around $20,000. The burglaries have caused thousands of dollars of damage so far and undermines the infrastructure of the building. Acting Senior Sergeant Bernie O'Brien said the police were grateful for the public help in locating the offender. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store