‘Baby Mona’ to be at rest almost year on from find

He was the baby found wrapped in muddy clothes at a South Auckland park, with no name and no one to claim him as their own.

What he did have, however, was a community who loved him — and one that is determined to give “Baby Mona” a proper farewell, in a bid to give a tragic situation a dignified ending.

On November 24, last year, a man walking his dog discovered the body of an infant at a reserve near Mona Ave, in Mangere.

Despite a police investigation and pleas for the mother of the child to come forward, the baby’s family was never found and the case was referred to the Coroner.

Almost a year later, members of the local community have taken it upon themselves to give the child a proper burial service.

Mangere MP Aupito William Su’a said police would be releasing the boy’s body within the next week, ready for preparations for an official funeral service late next week.

“On behalf of the community, we wanted to take the opportunity up. I’m speaking on behalf of the people in the community — we’ve accepted responsibility that this is our child,” he said.

“I think a lot of love and compassion was poured out for the baby when this happened and that love and compassion still exists.”

A graveside public ceremony will be held at the Mangere Lawn Cemetery, likely on September 30.

Quotes for the costs of a small casket, a burial plot and other associated costs are being sought and it is hoped local businesses may offer to help.

Prayers will be said, hymns sung and a special item will be performed by a local youth group.

It is a service that the community called for immediately after the child’s body was discovered and something that was very much wanted, Su’a said.

A Coroner’s finding showed the baby was probably stillborn in the late third trimester and that the antecedent cause had been a concealed pregnancy and birth.

Coroner Debra Bell said in her findings: “I have considered all available information and I am satisfied that this person has died as a result of natural causes.”

An autopsy found the child was either of Pacific Island or Maori descent and had likely been at the reserve for less than 48 hours.

Su’a said it was not known whether a headstone would be made as the child did not officially have a name.