A young child injured at a Southland property earlier this week has now died, with the two teenagers previously charged expected to face further charges.
Emergency services were called to an address in Otautau at around 6.50pm on Sunday, with the child taken to Southland Hospital in a critical condition.
They were then flown to Starship Hospital in Auckland where they died this afternoon.
Detective Inspector Stu Harvey said this was now being treated as a homicide investigation.
"We know this tragic incident will no doubt be felt widely in the Otautau community, and police will be providing reassurance over the coming days," he said.
"Police will also continue to support the child’s wider family as the matter progresses through the courts."
The man and woman, both aged 19, who had previously been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to the incident are expected to face further charges, he added.
Otautau is a small town on the banks of the Aparima River located around 40km northwest of Invercargill.
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