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Serenity Scott-Dinnington died in Starship Hospital, aged six months. - Source: Supplied -
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A man has been charged with the murder of six-month old baby Serenity Scott-Dinnington, who died in April last year.
Serenity was found unresponsive at the Ngaruawahia house where she lived with her mother Chelsea Scott, her mother's partner Matthew Ellery, and two others.
Police and medical staff who treated Serenity at Auckland's Starship hospital, believed her injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
A 21-year-old man was arrested today and charged with her murder.
Police credited the Ngaruawahia community and local agencies for their involvement in the nine-month-old homicide case.
"To get to the point where we have sufficient evidence to bring this matter before the courts highlights the hard work and long hours put in by an investigation team who always remained focused on doing what is right for a little girl, whose life ended so tragically," said Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene of the Waikato CIB.
"Today's arrest is also testament to the local Ngaruawahia community who very early on in the piece made it very clear they were not going to tolerate violence towards children and young folk on their back door step, and rallied behind police.
"It also vindicates the very strong relationship Waikato Police have with Child Youth and Family whose assistance in this case, from start to finish, has been invaluable."
The accused will appear in the Hamilton District Court tomorrow.
