A teenager has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a two-year-old boy in Hastings almost four months ago.
The youth, now 18, had initially been charged with assault after critically-ill Matiu Wereta was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital from a house in Columbus Cr, Flaxmere, on the morning of October 13. The boy died the following day.
In Hastings District Court today the initial charge was withdrawn, with the teen now facing charges of manslaughter and injuring with intent to injure.
No pleas have been entered and, granted continued bail and interim name suppression, the youth has been remanded to appear at a High Court callover in Napier later this month.