Father Charged After Nine-Week-Old Son Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries
A 30-year-old man from Currimundi, on the Sunshine Coast, has been charged following an investigation into injuries sustained by his nine-week-old son.
The infant was admitted to hospital with life-threatening injuries on April 24. Doctors expect the child will have permanent, long-term impairments. The father was refused bail and is scheduled to appear in court again in September.
The father told police he had not touched or moved the child during the period when the injury allegedly occurred. He later gave conflicting accounts.
Incident and Injuries
On April 24, the infant was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Medical assessments identified a range of injuries, including brain and eye trauma, multiple fractures, swelling, bruising, and multiple blood clots.
Medical staff classified the brain injury as an acute severe injury resulting from high-velocity trauma.
The infant has since been discharged. However, medical evaluations indicate the child is expected to have permanent long-term injuries, including brain damage leading to seizures and a loss of function in both eyes.
Arrest and Charges
The father was arrested by police on Saturday afternoon in Warana following an investigation by the Sunshine Coast Child Protection and Child Trauma Unit.
He has been charged with one count of grievous bodily harm, classified as a domestic violence offence against a child.
Court Proceedings
The defendant appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. Police prosecutor Mel Pike stated that the defendant initially told police he had not touched or moved the child during the period when the injury allegedly occurred. According to the prosecution, the defendant later gave conflicting accounts based on an analysis of phone records.
The father has no prior criminal history. His lawyer told the court there is no history of domestic violence within the family. The court also heard that the father had made threats to sell the house and flee to Thailand and is considered at risk of self-harm.
Magistrate Andrew Sinclair described the prosecution's case as "quite strong" and refused the defendant bail. The matter is scheduled to return to Maroochydore Magistrates Court on September 7.