A homicide inquiry into the death of a young baby is taking an emotional toll on officers working on the case but it has made them all the more determined to find out who hurt her, Kaitaia police say.
Maree Takuira Ngahere. Photo: Supplied
Maree Takuira Ngahere was less than four weeks old when she died of a brain bleed at her family's Kaitaia home two weeks ago.
The officer heading the investigation, acting Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid, said the little girl also had severe bruising on one arm and a leg.
Mr Schmid said there was a photograph of Maree on the police station wall, and his officers looked at it every morning as they set out.
He said the mothers on the homicide team in particular felt the impact, and he was keeping a close eye on their welfare as the case drags on.
Mr Schmid said the baby's whānau were reluctant to speak at first, but have since become more co-operative.
He said he was confident of an eventual arrest.
