Police are appealing for public help after being frustrated by
what they say is a lack of co-operation from the family of a baby
that died at Christchurch Hospital earlier this year.
Seven-month-old Staranise Waru was rushed to hospital in February
and two days later had to be taken off life support.
An autopsy revealed she died after being shaken violently.
Eight months after they began their investigation police have
gone public with their frustration over so little progress and a
lack of help from the family.
"We've reached a stage in our inquiry where we're now looking
for those key pieces of information to complete the puzzle as it
were and move this forward to a resolution," says Detective
Sergeant Mike Johnson of Christchurch Police.
Police say the baby had been in the care of her parents the
morning her injuries were sustained. But the couple, on legal
advice, were not talking on Monday.
"We have a number or several suspects and we're working hard on
narrowing that down," says Johnson. "And we want to know exactly
what happened and that's what's required for us to take this
to court."
Just this month detectives interviewed a family member in
Australia, a person they are calling a crucial witness in their
inquiry into the baby's death. But police will not say why the
witness is so crucial.
"A number of close family members are being looked at, and we would
appeal for members of either the close family, and or associates
who have any information that's relevant, to come forward to us,"
says Johnson.
Police say with public help they will solve their
case.
Lawyers for the parents put out a media release on Monday rejecting
the police view that they are not co-operating.
They say they have each made two statements to police voluntarily
and without legal representation. They both deny any involvement in
their baby's death.
The case has close parallels to the death four months ago of South Auckland twins Chris and Cru Kahui. Police on that case have also complained of family members exercising their right to silence.
