Two Charged With Murder Of Southland Child

Two 19-year-olds have been charged with murdering a young child in Southland, after the child died at Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital on Wednesday.

Emergency services were called to a property in Otautau on Sunday. The child was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Police launched a homicide investigation the same day the child died.

The pair had first appeared at the Invercargill District Court on Monday, charged with grievous bodily harm. By Friday they were back before Judge Mark Williams on upgraded murder charges. Both were denied bail, and the case has been transferred to the High Court, where they are scheduled to appear next month.

Court documents say the injuries were caused between August 28 and September 20. Both accused have interim name suppression.

On Monday, Crown prosecutor Mary-Jane Thomas told the court the child was not likely to recover and opposed the pair's bail application.

Detective Inspector Stu Harvey said police would continue to support the child's wider family through the court process. "We know this tragic incident will no doubt be felt widely in the Otautau community, and police will be providing reassurance over the coming days," he said.