This is Mikara Ranui Jarius Reti. Tragically, that's probably one of the last photgraphs that will ever be taken of the 5-month-old, apart from those taken at post-mortem.
That's because Jarius is the latest victim on child abuse. He died in Hawke's Bay Hospital after being admitted last Tuesday having suffered abuse; the Dom-Post reports:
Matene Te Aho stands at about 1.8 metres, is covered in tattoos and weighs more than 125kg.
Get him talking about his dead five-month-old son though, and his compassion and loss is palpable.
Mikara Ranui Jarius Reti died shortly after family members on his maternal side took him from Flaxmere to Hawke's Bay Hospital last Tuesday.
Children's advocates say New Zealand is right to feel a "sense of shame" over rates of child abuse, after the latest death.
Police have arrested and charged a 21-year-old Hastings man with manslaughter.
The man appeared in Hastings District Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody. He has interim name suppression and is due to reappear today.
We're not going to go into the social factors behind this latest tragedy; that can come sometime down the track, after the alleged offender has been identified, and once more is known. But this photograph has stirred something within us, just as the photographs of Nia Glassie did after her death a few years ago.
It shows a chubby toddler with huge brown eyes, taking in everything that's going on around him. This is a well-nourished child, with his life ahead of him. And the t-shirt - Dad's Happy Little Chappie - says it all. As the story notes, Jarius was not in his father's custody, but he was clearly loved, and his tragic death will be mourned.
The alleged offender appears in Court today, charged with manslaughter. His name is currently suppressed, but it's likely that he had some sort of relationship with Jarius' mother.
We can't understand the mentality of anyone who abuses a child. But this case is especially harrowing; how could anyone assault a five-month-old baby with such force that the child dies?
We know what it's like to live apart from your children; it doesn't mean you love them any less. So our thoughts, prayers and aroha go out to Matene Te Aho and to his whanau.
Rest peacefully Jarius.
5 comments:
It is time for Hone et al to stop the posturing and say enough is enough. To apologise for the constant references to colinisation as being the source of their woes and admit they have a problem with child abuse in sections of their society.
A five month old baby this time and my heart is breaking all over again. When will decent people stand up and say enough is enough. Stop the kids being the breadwinner by sole reason of their existence and when we kill this one weep crocodile tears, find a new sperm donor and start all over again. Time for the government to look at welfare and how this is contributing to the dehumanisation of society where a child is no longer the wanted offspring of a man and woman and just a commodity.
This may be called harsh by the usual suspects but I say to you that it is you that is harsh and perpetuating this destruction. Look at yourselves and ask why do I hate these people so much I want them to perpetuate this.
Sorry IV2 I have had enough of taking blame for my supposed collective guilt over these killings. I have a daughter who I love more than life itself and I would never hurt her so why should I have any responsibility in this.
Maori it is time to let sunlight into this dark corner of your society and disinfect it.
Male lions who join a female's pride often kill her young.
Maybe it's the sheer number, maybe it's the hangover but part of me can't help wonder whether it is better the child is dead now rather than in 18 years time after yet another gang murder.
Tinman, sad but true
Every time a Maori baby dies there is always someone who brings up 'It's cos they're Maori" reasons, and then use the platform to say "Stop making me feel bad by blaming colonisation... Gang life awaited him, he was probably better off to die now then later..."
The truth is hundreds of babies are killed each year, by the very ones that are charged with the privelege of caring for them, loving them and nurturing them REGARDLESS of race. There are no full Maori left and for all you people know - it could be the 'Caucasian' mix in the mongrel murderers that makes them do the unthinkable and unforgivable.. and welfare doesn't contribute to the dehumanisation of society - society contributes to it's own dehumanisation! The old adage that it takes a village to raise a child is so true, not a Maori village or a White village one massive collaboration, The Parents, grand parents ect... The Doctor/s, Midwife, Schools, Neighbours...
I wish no child anywhere of any nationality, socio economic background would ever have to suffer pain and murder.
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