‘Idyllic’ childhood shattered by violence
A Lower Hutt house lies vacant, visible through a broken gate lying flat across the entrance to a driveway.
At a closer look, eerie remnants of a young family’s life lie strewn across the front lawn – a yellow colouring pencil snapped in half, a single puzzle piece, lollipop sticks, and a scrunched-up child’s sock.
The inside of the house on Brown Grove in Fairfield has been cleared out and “decontaminated”, according to a nearby neighbour. But damage left to the interior can be seen.
It echoes the suspected ongoing abuse that occurred at the property – home to a single mother aged in her 20s and her two young children, a boy and girl, brought to light after one was taken to hospital with “horrific” injuries.
The 5-year-old had brain bleeds, lacerated internal organs, and multiple fractures. The 4-year-old also had extensive injuries, including many broken bones.
“It made sense, when we heard [the news] ... but we would’ve had no idea that so much harm was being done to these little kids,” the neighbour, who asked not to be named, said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Cotton said the young family had been living in Fairfield before a recent move to an address in Stokes Valley, also in Lower Hutt.
From a distance, they looked like a happy family – the social media posts show a young mother with two children in her arms, smiling in photos, at the park, feeding ducks.
“My kids, you are a blessing,” one post read of the three of them together.
“I couldn’t imagine my life without you kids, I love you unconditionally and with all my heart … I can’t wait to see the beautiful souls you both become and watch your bond grow over time,” another post said.
Beneath the veneer was an ugly truth, one of violence.
The family were known to police and Oranga Tamariki, but those agencies and healthcare workers were unsure how long the children had been abused for, Cotton said.
Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad said she was “continuing to follow up on what was known by government agencies and when” about the incident, but due to it being a police investigation, she was limited in what she could share.
“The focus right now must be keeping this mokopuna safe. Their wellbeing and safety is paramount here,” Achmad said.
“We have a collective responsibility as a community and a nation.”
The siblings were taken into care after being interviewed by Lower Hutt police while in hospital.
Cotton said the children were recovering well after being discharged, given the “significant trauma” they had experienced.
The former neighbour said the family were relatively quiet at first. They had been living at the Fairfield property for about 18 months. People often came and went, and the gates were often closed.
When men, who appeared to be boyfriends of the mother, lived with them, “it all seems to fall apart”.
The neighbour could see smoke coming from the property, and there was a distinct smell. Pipes, drums and chemicals could be seen on their lawn. “People try to keep to themselves but it’s such a small street, you can’t help but notice what’s going on.”
It would be rare to see the children outside – on or outside the property. But when they were seen on the street, they were wellkept.
“We never saw it,” the neighbour said of the abuse. “We mostly heard stuff.”
They would hear voices screaming at the children during all hours of the night, and banging noises like doors were being kicked in.
“What happened to those little kids is terrible,” he said. Police and Oranga Tamariki had been seen at the property numerous times.
And then, with what appeared to be half of their belongings left behind, they were gone, “They just bunked,” the neighbour said.
“[It’s] crazy what goes on behind closed doors.”
Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive service delivery Rachel Leota said the agency was aware of the police investigation when contacted yesterday.
“Oranga Tamariki acknowledges the incredibly distressing nature of this, and would encourage anyone with information to contact police,” Leota said.
“We are working alongside police in relation to this matter. Because of this, we cannot provide further detail at this time.”
Children’s Minister Karen Chhour said she could not discuss the case while it was still under investigation.
“I encourage anybody who sees anything in our communities that’s not good for our young people to speak up. If you see something, say something. Our most vulnerable rely on the elders to look out for them and be their voice.”
On Oranga Tamariki's role, she said: “If there is a report or concern, or if there is an issue with a young person, I would expect that that is followed up and that is that is looked into.”