Man Arrested for Assault on Child

As a result of a serious assault on a two-year-old boy, a 21-year-old unemployed Darfield man has been arrested today and charged with `reckless disregard causing grievous bodily harm’.

The man is to appear in the Christchurch District Court tomorrow.

The assault occurred at a house in rural Southland on 31 May 2009.

The child was taken to Southland Hospital by ambulance at about 4.30pm that day suffering from a head injury. Later that evening he was flown to Christchurch Hospital where he was operated on to relieve pressure on his brain. He was then flown to Auckland's Starship Hospital where he spent five weeks before being placed in a rehabilitation centre in the North Island for three months.

The child is progressing well but has suffered a brain injury. The full effects of the injury will not be known for some time and he will have ongoing rehabilitation. He is being cared for by family members in the North Island.

A police investigation was initiated the day of the child's admission to hospital after police were alerted by medical staff. Police will not be making any further comment at this time as the case is now before the Court.