Toddler's accused attacker in court

Seini Ikamanu, 2 (left), was playing with another child about an hour before she was rushed to hospital, neighbours say. Police are inspecting her Beach Haven home for clues as to how the toddler was injured. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A 27-year-old Tongan man made a brief appearance in North Shore District Court this morning accused of attacking a toddler who is in a critical condition in hospital.

The man, who was granted interim name suppression, was charged with assaulting two-year-old Seini Ikamanu, also called Jane, at a house in Beach Haven on Auckland's North Shore on Wednesday.

Jane was admitted to Auckland's Starship Hospital that night with serious head injuries and underwent emergency surgery to relieve swelling in her brain.

The hospital said this morning her condition remained unchanged from when she was admitted.

The accused man was remanded in custody until Monday to obtain legal advice and for an interpreter to be appointed.

He was arrested by the North Shore police child abuse team and police said more serious charges could be laid once the full extent of the girl's injuries was known.

- NZPA