Nia Glassie has been put back on a ventilator and remains in a coma.
Police say her injuries are life-threatening.
The 3-year-old Rotorua girl was admitted to Auckland's Starship hospital on July 27 after allegedly suffering months of abuse, ending with her being spun in a tumble dryer
.
"She's not in a good way," Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper said last night. "She's not getting any better."
Mr Loper, who is heading the investigation into the alleged abuse, said Nia's condition was life-threatening.
"It's always been life-threatening from day one," he said. "We've just got our fingers crossed."
Nia was initially placed on a ventilator, but it was later removed and her condition was reported to be improving.
Her father, Glassie Glassie jnr, who had flown from Australia to be by her bedside, was said to be heartened when the ventilator was removed and told his parents that he believed his daughter would recover.
Auckland City District Health Board said in a statement last night: "She remains profoundly comatose and dependent on a ventilator."
Meanwhile, a 12-week-old baby, also from Rotorua, remains in Starship with suspicious head injuries. The boy is not related to Nia but is the grandson of a Black Power member.
He was admitted to Rotorua Hospital twice last week before being transferred to Starship on Saturday. His injuries are not life-threatening and his condition was said to be improving last night.
The Herald understands the grandfather is a senior member of the Black Power gang in Rotorua but police have refused to comment on the gang link. It is understood the baby was taken to hospital by a female caregiver who is not connected to the gang.
Nia's paternal grandparents said yesterday they were focusing on their granddaughter's recovery.
"It's been an emotional time for us," grandfather Glassie Glassie said from his Tokoroa home.
"We sit outside and cry but I know she will pull through, she will be all right."
He said Nia's father, Glassie Glassie jnr, was also hopeful she would recover after seeing her.
Five people have been arrested and charged with assault. One is also facing a more serious charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm over the four months to July 1.
