A family member said: “Ashton was a child who ran everywhere. He just couldn’t seem to walk.”

The report found that at 11.03pm, Aston’s mother went next door and called 911 for an ambulance.

“When asked for her phone number, Ms Cresswell said: ‘I think she’s stopped breathing.’ In response to the prompts, Ms Cresswell said Ashton had been vomiting since the party but “tonight it’s completely gone and I think he’s stopped breathing”.

“Ms Cresswell then said: ‘… for some reason, he’s got bruises on his stomach.’ Asked to check her breathing, Ms Cresswell said: “I hear a bit of shallow breathing.”

The report found that on arrival emergency services found Ashton was “stiff with rigor mortis and appeared grey, cold and lifeless”.

“There were signs of lividity on Ashton’s body and the responders observed extensive bruising all over Ashton’s body.

“Ashton could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene at 11.55pm,” the coroner said.

The post-mortem report by pathologist Dr Amy Spark noted there were multiple bruises and abrasions to Ashton’s head, torso and limbs.

“In total, more than 65 bruises and abrasions were identified. These included bruises on the scalp, behind the ears and other areas that are atypical for accidental self-injury in young children.

“There was extensive bruising to Ashton’s chest wall over an area of ​​approximately 22 x 12cm, along with more bruising to his forehead.

“Dr. Spark gave his preliminary opinion that Ashton appeared to have suffered blunt force abdominal trauma which resulted in perforation of his bowel.”

On May 29, 2018, Alesha and Otuszewski were jointly charged with Ashton’s manslaughter.

Creswell was sentenced to three years and 11 months in prison, while Otuszewski was sentenced to four years and one month in prison.

The medical examiner’s report showed that Ashton’s injuries were not accidental.

“They were not self-inflicted by any ‘clumsiness’ on his part. Ashton’s injuries could only have been caused by the attack.

“Ashton’s non-fatal bruises were evidence of a pattern of physical abuse.”

“I find that the fatal injuries suffered by Ashton were likely caused by Mr. Otuszewski either by injury during rough, fighting-type play or by striking, throwing, or pushing Ashton against a surface with sufficient force to cause the fatal injuries. .

“There is ample evidence to support both scenarios.”

The coroner recommended that Oranga Tamariki should more widely and effectively publicize the risk factors for child abuse and how to identify when a child is being harmed by placing the information in widely viewed media with a wide audience of parents and carers in New Zealand.

“Oranga Tamariki should publish guidance and resources for carers on what is safe and acceptable ‘rough play’ with a toddler or young child and what is risky and unsafe play.”

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