Inconsistent statements are being given to the police regarding the death of a 10-month-old baby in Te Kūiti, police say.
Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders on Tuesday afternoon provided an update on the death, which was being treated as a homicide.
On Saturday afternoon, 10-month-old Mustafa Maheir Mukzameel Ali was taken unconscious to Te Kūiti Hospital and died a short time later.
The father has told Stuff he “didn’t do anything wrong, because I was trying to save my son”.
Det Insp Saunders told reporters he was aware of the comments made in the media.
Initial examinations showed Mustafa suffered “violent, blunt-force trauma and we do not believe these injuries were accidental”, he reiterated.
“The family members are speaking to [the] police and cooperating, but I will outline that we have some inconsistencies with some of the statements that we are getting with what appear to be the injuries of Mustafa.
“I can confirm that I do know of those statements that have been printed in the media in regard to it but I am unwilling to comment further as the investigation progresses.”
The baby was known to the police, Det Insp Saunders confirmed.
“Mustafa Ali is known to police in regard to a non-accidental injury previously that has been investigated,” he said.
Det Insp Saunders added that incident happened in October, when Mustafa was a month old.
“That investigation has been ongoing since that time with a number of reviews – I won’t be commenting further in regard to it because it’s now critical in regard to this investigation.
“I would like to say that non-accidental injuries on children are one of the most complex cases that our detective and investigator can work on for a number of reasons and that complexity is also present, as you would expect, in this case.”
A scene examination was expected to be completed later Tuesday or early on Wednesday, he said.
