20 Jan 2017

Samoa police investigate newborn's death

3:34 pm on 20 January 2017

The police in Samoa are investigating a suspected infanticide after a newborn baby was buried by a family who did not inform health authorities.

Samoan police headquarters in Apia

Samoan police headquarters in Apia Photo: RNZI/Sally Round

Police said a 20-year-old woman gave birth to the baby at her home in a village to the west of Apia last Thursday.

The woman's mother - who helped deliver the baby - is alleged to have then instructed another family member to dig a hole for burial.

The police would not say if the baby was alive when it was born.

Meanwhile, police are investigating another alleged infanticide on Savaii after the body of a newborn was found at Salelologa market this week.