A Tauranga couple have denied neglect charges in relation to their 3-year-old son, who police say was left with permanent brain damage after being assaulted at his family home.
The couple, who briefly appeared before Tauranga Community Magistrate Sherida Cooper yesterday, denied a joint charge of ill-treatment or neglect of a child aged under 18.
The toddler, who turned 3 last month, was taken to Tauranga Hospital with serious head injuries on October 18 and airlifted to Starship Hospital.
Police believe the injuries occurred at the family home on October 15. Ms Cooper continued interim name suppression to protect the boy's and his siblings' identities being revealed.
The matter now heads to a case review hearing on March 4 next year in Tauranga District Court. If a trial is required, it is possible older children in the family could be called to give evidence.
Tauranga CIB head Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said police investigations into who was responsible for the boy's serious head injuries were ongoing.