Newborn baby was buried in Christchurch garden

The body of a newborn baby, whose death is at the centre of a police investigation, was found buried in a garden at a Christchurch home. Emergency services were called to the property in Spreydon, south of the city centre, about 8pm on Saturday. A newborn baby had died. The Press understands its body was found buried in a garden in the property’s backyard. The baby had been born in recent days and was near full-term. It is unclear whether it was stillborn or died soon after birth. Police have revealed few details about the case. Detective Senior Sergeant Tania Jellyman, the officer in charge of the

investigation, would not comment about where the baby was found or how it died. Police were awaiting the results of forensic testing before a decision would be made about whether to lay charges, Jellyman said. Police previously said the baby’s mother was assisting them with their investigation. The property is owned by a couple who live there with the baby’s mother – a young woman who is not related to them.