By Sanele Chadwick with NZN
The death of a two-month-old triplet has sparked a homicide investigation in Whanganui.
Hinekawa Topia's parents drove her to Wanganui Hospital shortly before 1pm on Thursday. She was not breathing and resuscitation attempts by her father and hospital staff were unsuccessful, police say.
The hospital called police at 1.20pm.
A post-mortem examination has revealed Hinekawa died of non-accidental head injuries.
Her triplet sisters remained in hospital as a precaution, police said on Sunday.
Child, Youth and Family has interim custody of the girls and a five-year-old boy.
Hinekawa's body has been released to her family and a funeral is taking place on Sunday.
Police have treated her death as suspicious since Thursday and are working to identify people who will be able to help them build a picture of events before Hinekawa's death and her health, Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said.
"We fully acknowledge the sensitivities of cases such as this and it's important that people to not leap to conclusions and start pointing fingers prematurely.
"We have to be thorough and meticulous and work closely with medical professionals, the pathologist and Hinekawa's family. That process will take time and should not be rushed."
About 20 police are working on the investigation.
One house in Whanganui and one in south Taranaki were put under police guard on Thursday, while forensic scientists investigated.
Both have since been released to their owners.
Police are also sourcing CCTV footage, which may assist with the investigation.
The Family First Organisation says there have been 10 suspicious child deaths in the past 17-months and that it is time for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into child abuse.
3 News/NZN