Man in court over baby's critical injuries

A 17-month-old girl was yesterday still in a critical condition in hospital with head injuries as a man appeared in court charged with assaulting her.

Police yesterday carried out a scene examination at a house in Kamo, 5km north of Whangarei, where Tinisha Walker sustained her injuries on Tuesday. She was taken to Whangarei Hospital by ambulance but was later flown to Auckland's Starship hospital.

A 39-year-old man appeared in the Whangarei District Court over the incident.

His solicitor entered no plea to one charge of assault on a child and made no bail application.

The man was granted interim name suppression, as police are still investigating and some family members need to be notified of the circumstances.

He was remanded to reappear in the Whangarei District Court on September 9.

A Starship hospital spokeswoman said last night Tinisha was still in a critical condition.

The incident is the second case of child abuse in Northland in less than a week. A 2-year-old girl died in Starship on Saturday. Her 34-year-old mother was charged with assaulting her.

The two cases have outraged child advocate groups.

Chief executive of CPS Anthea Simcock said the community needed to face "the big questions".

"As individuals we all have the power to stop child abuse. It is friends, family, neighbours and others in the community who are most likely to see what is happening to a child. It is their responsibility to learn what to do and then act on that knowledge."

People often thought the only solution was to call police or Child, Youth and Family and were often too afraid to do so, Mrs Simcock said.

But there were other steps that could be taken before those agencies had to be involved.

"You can step up personally - help a stressed mother out, offer to babysit, or even just talk. This action can sometimes be all that is needed to ensure parents stay in control.

"Connect the family you are concerned about with a non-government agency. Every town and city in New Zealand has local agencies specialised in helping families who are experiencing difficulties."