A 25-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a baby girl.
Bella Richardson was eight months old when she was killed at a Whanganui property on November 7, 2016.
The defendant appeared in Masterton District Court on Thursday charged with her murder, and has been remanded in custody.
Police say the accused man knew Bella but wasn't related to her.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Baskett says he hopes the murder charge will bring closure for Bella's family.
"This has been a protracted investigation due to the complex nature of the medical evidence," he says.
"I would like to thank all those who helped with the investigation."
He says police cannot comment on the case further as the matter is now before the court.
Newshub.
