By Kate Lynch
Police in West Auckland are trying to discover if there is anything sinister about the death of a baby whose body has been found abandoned at the side of a house.
The baby boy was born several weeks prematurely.
Police found the naked body on the ground underneath a tarpaulin at an address in Barron Drive, Green Bay, after hospital staff phoned them and suggested they pay a visit.
A neighbour, Donna Muru, told 3 News she was shocked by the discovery. She said she never saw any babies, or anyone who looked pregnant in the household.
She says the family are Indian, and have only lived at the address for a few weeks.
A post-mortem was carried out this morning and determined the baby was born four to ten weeks prematurely, but it is unknown whether he was born dead or alive.
Experts say babies born this early often survive, especially with modern health care.
Police are interviewing the mother and others living in the house, after which they will decide if charges will be laid.
3 News