Man charged with toddler's murder

A man is due to appear in court today charged with the murder of Wanganui toddler Karl Perigo-Check.

The two-year-old died in Wanganui Hospital on October 24 after being taken there in a critical condition.

A post mortem revealed he had suffered internal injuries.

A 22-year-old local man has been charged with his murder and a number of other charges unrelated to his death.

They include grievous bodily harm, male assaults female, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and supply of cannabis.

A 30-year-old Wanganui woman will also appear in court charged with assaulting Karl, and perverting the course of justice.

Inquiry head Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann said the investigation team was grateful for the support and co-operation it had received from Karl's family, their friends and associates.

The toddler's father, Wanganui gang member Karl Check, is serving life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 15 years for the 2007 murder of two-year-old Jhia Te Tua during a Wanganui altercation between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs.

- NZPA