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A 39-year-old woman has been charged over an assault that left an Avondale toddler fighting for his life.
Itupa Julie Mikaio appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday charged with assaulting Benjamin Mikaio, 3, on or about June 27.
The defendant, who comes from Samoa and is unemployed, did not enter a plea. She was given bail.
Police say they are still considering whether other charges will be laid.
Benjamin was rushed to the Starship hospital three days after the attack - on the advice of extended family members - with life-threatening injuries that included internal bleeding, head injuries and several pelvic fractures.
He spent most of last week in a drug-induced coma fighting for his life and was on a machine to help him breathe.
Benjamin's long-term prognosis is not clear but a police spokeswoman said he had improved slightly this week and is now in a serious but stable condition.
Members of the police child abuse team started investigating the case after being alerted by medical professionals, who were concerned about what had caused the injuries that led to his being admitted to the Starship.
During the early stages of the investigation police said that the injuries occurred while Benjamin was in the care of his family.
But they have not said how they were inflicted.
Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said Benjamin's parents and family were initially banned from seeing him but are now allowed supervised access.
He has five siblings, all of whom have since been removed from the family home and placed into a safe and secure environment.
