A 25-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with assaulting an eight-year-old boy in Whakatāne who has since died.
Police were called to Whakatāne Hospital at 5.30pm yesterday and have begun a homicide investigation.
The woman appeared in Whakatāne District Court this morning and was due to reappear next Wednesday.
“Police are not ruling out laying charges against other people in relation to this matter,” police said in a statement.
“A scene examination will be conducted today at an address in Te Teko.”
Anyone with information that could help police enquiries was asked to contact 105.
Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.