By Angela Beswick
The investigation into the death of a three-year-old Palmerston North girl has now been upgraded to a homicide inquiry, police have announced today.
The girl, who died after being found injured at a Palmerston North house on Wednesday, has been identified as Kash Meshetti McKinnon.
Kash was found with critical injuries at a Hulme Street house after emergency services were called by a visitor. She died the following day.
Details surrounding the nature of her injuries have not been disclosed, other than the fact she suffered serious head injuries. A post mortem examination finished late last night, and the preliminary report from the pathologist suggests the injuries suffered are non-accidental.
At the time the child was being looked after by a 21-year-old man, who was not her father.
He was also looking after three other children aged two, four, and six – some of whom were her siblings.
Police are interviewing the man, and the other children are in the care of Child Youth and Family.
Kash's body has been released to her family in order for them to make funeral arragements. The scene examination on the Hulme Street house is likely to continue for at least two days.
3 News