Abused boy's new carer also on assault charges

Itupa Julie Mikaio was yesterday found guilty of wounding with intent to injure her four-year-old son Benjamin. Benjamin's aunt will appear in court today to face multiple charges of assaulting a child. Photo / Martin Sykes

An aunt caring for a young boy severely beaten up by his mother is to appear in court today facing multiple charges of assaulting a child.

Itupa Julie Mikaio, 40, of Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, was found guilty yesterday of wounding with intent to injure her four-year-old son Benjamin and guilty of neglecting to provide the necessaries of life for the boy.

But she was found not guilty of a more serious charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, after a jury in the High Court at Auckland deliberated for just over two hours.

She was remanded in custody for sentence in the High Court on November 27.

Today the aunt who was entrusted with the care of Benjamin and some siblings is to appear in Waitakere District Court today on 23 charges of assault on a child, Radio New Zealand reported.

The officer in charge of the case against Mikaio, Detective Constable John Kennedy, said Benjamin was removed from his aunt's care when the new allegations surfaced.

Child, Youth and Family had since been involved.

Mr Kennedy told NZPA said yesterday it was a particularly sad case, and Benjamin would suffer the physical effects of the assault by his mother for the rest of his life.

"This was a completely unprovoked attack by a mother on her infant child," he said.

"It's not just about Benjamin, it's about the other children in the family. They are the innocent victims.

"It's been particularly difficult for the child witnesses. The violence that raged that day will have mentally affected them forever.

"I saw Benjamin last Saturday, and it is quite clear to see he is still physically and mentally affected by this.

"He is still wearing a skull cap to protect his head, and he will live with the physical effects and memories of what happened to him for the rest of his life,"

Mr Kennedy added that the extended family had been present in court and this case had divided the family.

"The parents have lost their children for the foreseeable future," he said.

Defence counsel Ted Faleauto said the case was upsetting for the whole family.

"She (Mikaio) is very remorseful for the bodily injuries. She was under a lot of stress with a lot of young children to look after.

"She was pregnant and the children were sick. That particular child was a bit slow, and obviously she needed a bit more help."

Mr Faleauto said that the doctor's reports appeared to show the boy wasn't suffering any long-term effects as a result of his head injury.

Mikaio was charged after her son Benjamin was taken to Auckland's Starship Hospital unconscious with head injuries that could have been fatal on June 30 last year.

- NZPA