NZ Baby Who Died With Major Head Injuries Named As Atreyu Taylor-Matene, Police Investigate Possible Homicide
The baby who died and is at the centre of a homicide investigation has been named. One-year-old Atreyu Taylor-Matene died at the Starship Hospital in Auckland on Friday night after suffering "significant head injuries," prompting officials to investigate the cause of his death.
Baby Atreyu was taken to Whangarei Hospital at 10 in the morning the same day, but was airlifted to the Auckland hospital soon after. Since Atreyu's injuries were decidedly not normal for a very young child, the police were notified.
While his family were mourning his death and preparing for his funeral, the police were examining the scene where he was suspected to have obtained his injuries: his home. He lived with his mother, Jessica Taylor, and her new boyfriend. Ms Taylor and Atreyu's father, Joshua Matene, shared his custody.
Both parents are said to be assisting police with their investigation.
"We're working through their statements at present. Clealry investigations like this are emotional at best and it's our job to work slowly and methodically through to establish exactly what's caused Atreyu's death," Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Bourke told Radio New Zealand on Monday morning, adding that they are "completely investigating with an open mind."
The post mortem was completed Sunday, but police still wouldn't release the results. Mr Bourke, however, confirmed that Atreyu had major head injuries.
Twenty-five police were working on the investigation over the weekend at the Carlton Crescent house in Whangarei.
Ms Taylor's friends, meanwhile, took to Facebook to lend their support.
"I believe it was a tragic accident. I did a google search on children falling from beds and there are cases recorded as high as 12 years old where the results are fatal. They're making a tragic accident look horrific," one friend named Verndora Smith wrote.
"We have been informed via the hospital that they believe the injuries are non-accidental," the detective said.
Mr Bourke also said that they still did not have a suspect.
According to reports, none of the neighbours said they heard noise from Atreyu's home that might indicate he was in danger.
The father, Mr Matene, was devastated that he wasn't with his son when he passed away.
"Every time I was there I would make the most of it and make sure he knew I was his father," he told 3 News.
"We are not playing a blame game, we just want answers," Mr Matene's father added, referring to Atreyu's mother and her partner. "That baby was lovely, he was always happy. We used to call him moko boy because he was our grandson.
"There was nothing to indicate that he was unsafe. Jess is a good mother."
Atreyu's funeral is scheduled on Friday in Auckland.