The man charged with the murder of two-year-old James Joseph 'JJ' Ruhe Lawrence in Auckland will remain in custody until next year.
Mangere man Joel Loffley, 29, appeared at Auckland District Court today and was remanded until January 18 for a plea inquiry hearing.
James Joseph died on November 14 at the Orakei house where he lived with his mother and her boyfriend.
He died from injuries resulting from blunt-force trauma to his abdomen, said police.
