A Whakatane toddler remains in intensive care while the two men allegedly responsible for his injuries have appeared in court.
Detective Sergeant Ross Everest said the 2-1/2-year-old boy was admitted to Whakatane Hospital at 8.30pm on Wednesday suffering from severe head injuries.
Harley Mac Wharewera, 19, of Whakatane, faces asingle charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was remanded in custody following a brief appearance in Rotorua District Court yesterday.
Mr Everest said further charges would be laid against Wharewera when he next came before a judge in Whakatane District Court on Wednesday.
Kane Jeremy Tawa, 23 of Whakatane, is jointly charged with Wharewera and faces a charge that while having control of the child, he wilfully ill treated him in a manner to cause unnecessary suffering.
The offending allegedly occurred between August 1 and September 21 this year. Both men were remanded in custody until September 28.
A 23-year-old Whakatane woman was also charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life but has not appeared in court.
There have been discussions between a Whakatane paediatrician and Auckland's Starship Hospital regarding specialist care for the boy. Whakatane Hospital general manager Karen Smith said the boy was still in intensive care.
