Two young Lower Hutt siblings have suffered injuries so horrific they both required being admitted to hospital and surgery.
Aged four and five years old, it took weeks to understand the full extent of their injuries, Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Cotton of the Wellington District Child Protection Team said.
They both had a "multitude" of broken bones and extensive bruising. One child had brain bleeds and severe internal injuries, police confirmed.
Investigating the matter, Wellington police were asking the public for help.
Investigators said the siblings' injuries were inflicted "deliberately" and likely "over a period of time".
The matter came to police attention when hospital staff alerted them to a possible family harm incident in Stokes Valley on March 8 in which a child suffered serious injuries.
A medical assessment of the child and their sibling revealed further injuries believed to been sustained in previous incidents.
"These injuries do not just happen; it’s likely someone knows something or has seen something and that’s why we need the community’s help," police said.
"The children recently moved with family to a Stokes Valley address from a Waterloo address and had been at their new home for just two nights when they were hospitalised."
Police are seeking any information around any suspicious activity seen or heard at either address, or nearby, on or prior to Friday, March 8 that may assist their investigation.
SHARE ME