Boy dies after assault, woman charged as police launch murder investigation

A 25-year-old woman is suspected of assault.
Photo: RNZ/Nate McKinnon

A murder investigation is underway after an eight-year-old boy died following an assault.

A 25-year-old woman has been charged with assault, police said on Saturday, and they are not ruling out charges against others at this stage.

They were called to Whakatane Hospital at 5.30pm on Friday after the boy died.

The suspect was taken into custody and will appear in Whakatane District Court again on Wednesday.

“A scene investigation will be carried out at an address in Te Teko today,” police said in a statement.

They called on anyone with information to call 105, contact them online or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference number 241115/2140.

“Any further information will be released proactively as it becomes available.”

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