22 Aug 2009

Homicide inquiry into death of three-year-old girl

5:59 am on 22 August 2009

Police have launched a homicide investigation into the death of a three-year-old Palmerston North girl.

The preschooler, named on Friday as Kash McKinnon, was found unconscious at a house in Hulme Street on Wednesday.

She died in hospital just before noon on Thursday with family members at her bedside.

When emergency services arrived on the scene, a 21-year-old man and three children aged two, four and six were also at the property.

Police on Friday received a preliminary post-mortem report from the pathologist. Her injuries are considered non-accidental.

A police spokesperson in Palmerston North, Kim Perks, told Checkpoint the girl suffered serious head injuries.

Ms Perks says the girl's body has been released to her family so that funeral arrangements can be made.