‘Abusers hope the child will wake up’

Baby Karlos Stephens’ non-fatal brain bleed offers an insight into whoever killed him, according to the clinical director of Starship Hospital.

Neil Patrick Kelly made the comment about the behaviour of child abusers while giving evidence at the murder trial of Shane Roberts at the High Court at Rotorua yesterday.

Roberts faces just one charge: that between November 29-30, 2014, he murdered Karlos Stephens.

On the opening day of the trial, Crown prosecutor Anna McConachy told the jury of six men and six women that Karlos and his twin brother had been entrusted into the care of Roberts and his family as their mother, Pamela Stephens, was struggling to cope.

Under Roberts’ care, the

Crown alleged, Karlos suffered ‘‘significant trauma to his head’’ and later died.

Roberts’ defence lawyer, Simon Lance, also addressed the jurors, telling them they faced two significant issues.

‘‘Murder or manslaughter and secondly, has the Crown proven it was this man here, Shane Roberts, who by some unlawful act caused Karlos Stephens’ injuries,’’ he said.

‘‘Mr Roberts’ position in a nutshell is he did not harm

Karlos, he did not cause the injuries that eventually led to his death.’’

Under questioning, Kelly said the earlier brain bleed detected on Karlos had more significance as an example of behaviour.

‘‘Quite often in suspected child abuse, the adult waits, and they hope the child will wake up,’’ he said.

‘‘Particularly the case when a child had had a head injury before, as Karlos had ... at some point the adult thinks this child is not waking up and I have to seek help, but we know time is profoundly important.

‘‘If a caregiver waits before seeking help it greatly increases the risk of a bad outcome.’’

Under questioning from Lance, Kelly conceded he ‘‘wasn’t there’’ when Karlos suffered the fatal injury.

‘‘How it was caused or who caused it, I can’t answer that question.’’

The trial continues.