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Serenity Scott-Dinnington died in Starship Hospital, aged six months. - Source: Supplied -
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The neighbour of a Ngaruawahia infant who died apparently from ''shaken baby'' injuries is calling an urgent community hui tomorrow despite being labelled a ''nark''.
Six-month-old Serenity Jay Scott-Dinnington died in Auckland's Starship hospital last week after her life-support was switched off.
Family have been told by medical staff and police they believe her injuries were similar to shaken baby syndrome.
The neighbour, who wanted to be known only as Cheree, is organising the hui so the community can figure out how to prevent child deaths at the hands of caregivers.
The hui would centre on a community discussion about family violence, social issues, child safety, alcohol and drugs and developing support networks.
''Family violence will not be tolerated I will not allow it in this town,'' she said.
''I need everybody's help to support this kaupapa. I can't do it by myself.''
As well as feeling ''completely helpless'' over Serenity's death, Cheree has a personal motivation for drawing attention to family violence.
''I lost my son in a drink- driving accident. I had no choice in what happened to him but there was a choice for Serenity's life and the wrong one was made.''
Cheree has been branded a ''nark'' by some members of the community for talking to reporters and police about Serenity's death. Someone has even tagged her fence with the label.
But she refuses to be stopped by such reactions.
''I don't care if they call me a nark. At the end of the day something needs to be done. This silence is not helping anyone. Somebody needs to stand up.''
Cheree said she received a call from Ngaruawahia police who said the hui should be cancelled because it would hinder the ongoing investigation.
But, after speaking with legal services, Cheree said she believed she was well within her rights.
''I'm not going to wait. There has to be some accountability.''
Serenity's grandmother, Celeste Scott, of Papakura, said recently that she wanted details of how her granddaughter was injured brought to light because she did not want the case to become like the Chris and Cru Kahui investigation, where nobody had been held to account for their deaths.
''That's what everybody keeps saying, that they hope it isn't like that, but I really hope not because I don't want this family to go through what that family had to go through.''
Cheree vowed Serenity's death would not become another Kahui case.
''Serenity's family have clammed up and so have some of my neighbours,'' she said.
''Who do we protect with our silence? Nobody protected Serenity. But this will not be another Kahui case.
''I will make sure of that.''
During the hui an anonymous written survey will also be conducted to gather information Cheree hopes will assist in the prevention of child deaths.
The hui will be held tomorrow, from 2pm until 5pm, in the
Memorial Hall next to Ngaruawahia New World. It is open to
everyone.
Meanwhile, police investigating the death of the baby say they are
encouraged by the response from the Ngaruawahia community.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene said Ngaruawahia is a close knit community and the death has touched a cord with people in the town.
He said police are making good progress with the investigation but they still need people to come forward with information, anonymously if necessary.
Serenity's body has been returned to her family and a funeral is expected to be held later in the week.