Coroner finds agencies failed to protect murdered 10-month-old baby

Tuesday 2 September 2025 · 6 outlets · 6 reports · updated Tue 2 Sep 2025, 7:40am

In this story Oranga Tamariki, Christchurch Hospital, Mary-Anne Borrowdale

A coroner has ruled that Oranga Tamariki and police failed to protect 10-month-old CJ White before he was killed by his father. Despite repeated warnings and pleas from the child's mother and grandparents, government agencies failed to take action. The infant died from head injuries inflicted by his father in July.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldTue 2 Sep 2025, 5:00am

   Coroner: Agencies failed to protect baby boy who was murdered by meth-addicted dad (opens in new tab)

2. StuffTue 2 Sep 2025, 5:00am

   Baby CJ’s death followed repeated warnings that were ignored (opens in new tab)

3. The PressTue 2 Sep 2025, 5:00am

   Mother begged agencies for help, then father murdered baby (opens in new tab)

4. RNZTue 2 Sep 2025, 5:00am

   Police, Oranga Tamariki failed 10-month-old killed by meth-using dad, coroner rules (opens in new tab)

5. 1News via RNZTue 2 Sep 2025, 6:32am

   Police, OT failed 10-month-old killed by meth-using dad - coroner (opens in new tab)

6. Otago Daily TimesTue 2 Sep 2025, 7:40am

   Police, OT failed West Coast baby killed by meth-using dad - Coroner (opens in new tab)