However, the baby was taken to Gisborne Hospital on the morning of December 31, and later transferred to Starship Children’s Hospital.
Staff there ruled out the possibility of the injuries being accidental and believed the baby would likely die.
During the next few days the full extent of his injuries were recorded. They included severe traumatic head injury with brain damage that was considered likely to be fatal and which surgery woud be unable to remedy.
The baby also had extensive bleeding into the nerve layer on the inner surface of both eyeballs, fractures to one of his collar bones and eight of his ribs, a possile fracture to one of his vertebrae, and lacerated liver.
Doctors believed the head injury, and associated bleeding in his eyes and skull, were the result of abusive head trauma of the sort caused by violent shaking, slapping, striking, throwing or slamming.
The combination of bruises and broken ribs was likely caused by squeezing of the chest.
On January 6, the baby was transferred back to Gisborne Hospital as Starship had done all it could. There remained a possibility he would die.
However, he has since been able to be cared for in the community and the immediate risk of death has passed.
Given his young age, his life expectency and level of disability are unknown.
He has extreme brain damage, highly impaired vision, and gets regular muscle spasms. He has abnormal motor development and is likely to develop severe cerebral palsy. He may never be able to sit unsupported, crawl or walk. He may never talk but his hearing appears to have been retained.
