Mother arrested in case of baby Israel’s death in Hamilton

HOMICIDE squad detectives have arrested and interviewed a Hamilton mother after the puzzling death of her baby son a month ago, later releasing her without charge.

HOMICIDE squad detectives have arrested and interviewed a Hamilton mother of four after the puzzling death of her 11-month-old son a month ago, later releasing her without charge.

Tanita Brenssell’s son, named Israel, died in Hamilton hospital on July 13, shortly after neighbours heard panicked screams coming from the family home.

Ms Brenssell had previously provided a statement to police, but was arrested and interviewed at Hamilton Police Station on Thursday as part of the ongoing investigation.

MORE: POLICE INVESTIGATE PUZZLING BABY DEATH

Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey, of the Homicide squad, said the boy’s mother was interviewed and released pending further inquiries.

Homicide squad detectives had previous interviewed the woman’s partner.

“I can confirm a woman was arrested and interviewed earlier today regarding the death of an 11-month-old boy in Hamilton,” he said.

Israel Rimene, who died in Hamilton in July.

The house to which emergency crews were called. Picture: Jay Town

“She was interviewed for about two hours before being released pending further inquiries.

“Police are still awaiting the full pathology results to determine the cause of death.

“However, forensic tests in relation to evidence seized at the house have been completed.”

Emergency services were called to a house in Strachan Street, Hamilton about 3am on July 13 after a report that a child was seriously ill.

A neighbour told police she heard a woman screaming in the early hours of the morning.

Israel was taken to Hamilton Base Hospital where he died a short time later.

Ms Brenssell, her boyfriend Quinton Thompson, and three other children were at the house in the hours before Israel died.

Ms Brenssell and Mr Thompson both told police they did not check on Israel for a while before they noticed he was not well.

The boy’s father, Wayne Rimane, told the Herald Sun last month it was possible nobody was at fault as Israel was hurt playing with his siblings the night before.

“He must have got hit on the head but he was all right (at the time). We are not sure at the moment of the full story,” Mr Rimane said.

The family, originally from New Zealand, had been renting the house since February, but had lived in Hamilton for several years.

Israel, who would have turned one on July 29, was the youngest of Ms Brenssell’s four children.

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