THE last 24 to 48 hours of a Mandurama baby’s life hold the key to how she died suddenly on Wednesday.
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Police on Thursday launched an investigation into the death of the 11-month-old girl, who was taken to Blayney Hospital by her 35-year-old stepfather at 11am on Wednesday.
Doctors performed CPR on the girl, but she died an hour later.
The man told police the baby sustained a head injury after falling from a trampoline at the family home.
The State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad was called in yesterday to investigate.
A crime scene was established at the house.
Chifley Local Area Command Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said police were focusing their investigation on the family’s movements in the 24 to 48 hours leading up to the “sudden and unexplained” death.
“I’d really like to appeal for anyone in the community that may have information about the family or their movements during that time,” Detective Inspector Rankin said.
He said the baby’s stepfather assisted with police enquires “for some time” on Wednesday and was not in custody.
Detective Inspector Rankin would not confirm if the family or the child were known to police or the Department of Community Services (DoCS), nor would he confirm the type of injuries the 11-month-old sustained, other than to say it was “serious”.
Police were also unable to confirm if an ambulance was called to the family home in Mandurama after the accident.
Detective Inspector Rankin said the child’s mother was also at Blayney Hospital and was greatly and deeply distressed.
“There are other siblings and plans have been put into place to care for them,” he said.
The baby’s biological father does not live locally, but has been advised of his daughter’s death.
Detective Inspector Rankin said the family was well-known in the small community of Mandurama.
He said police had spoken to everyone in the village of around 500 people, but urged anyone with extra information to come forward
A post mortem will be conducted on the baby to determine the cause of death.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page at www.police.nsw.gov.au.
