Police are appealing for information from the public about a vehicle used to transport Lower Hutt toddler Ruthless-Empire to hospital last month.
Baby Ru, as he was known, died of blunt force trauma just before his second birthday and police said the injuries were not an accident.
Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard said during a press conference this morning that a light-coloured Nissan Sentra sedan with the registration TE6972 was used by three people of interest to take Baby Ru to hospital, was returned to a home address, and had been used to move a "number of items" from the crime scene.
He said police are appealing for sightings of the vehicle between October 22 and 24.
"This vehicle has returned to the address and a person or persons has removed property directly relevant to the homicide investigation. This property was taken from the scene and has been concealed or disposed of," he said.
"We are putting together a timeline of movements and appeal to the public for any sightings of it or persons in or around the vehicle, including any footage you may have, between 22 October and 24 October."
He clarified that the "blunt force" injuries associated with Ruthless-Empire's death were multiple blows to the infant's head.
"It could have been with a weapon or it could have been through a physical force, such as slamming a head on a hard floor or a table.
"This poor child suffered a violent death... our belief is that these were intentionally caused injuries to this child."
It comes as police today outlined a trail of deception which occurred after the 1-year-old was taken to hospital. (Source: 1News)
He said the three people of interest, who were present when baby Ru suffered his injuries, have had "varying levels of cooperation and engagement" with police.
"We know they have vital information that they can give us and I continue to urge them to come forward and speak with us."
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