Beaten boy, 4, moves out of rehabilitation

A 4-year-old boy brutally beaten in Hastings has been discharged from the rehabilitation centre he was admitted to in April.

He is now believed to be in the care of his grandmother.

Medics and police met a challenging scene after an extended family member called emergency services to a Flaxmere home on January 29.

The boy’s suspicious injuries, including widespread bruising and a brain injury, have been previously compared by police to the injuries suffered by 6-year-old James Whakaruru, murdered in 1999.

Detective Inspector Mike Foster had said the boy suffered a sustained beating — possibly over days.

Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive children and families south Alison McDonald told Hawke’s Bay Today the boy had left rehab.

“The young boy has now been discharged from a rehabilitation centre and we are working with his extended family to determine the best care arrangements for his future,” she said.

“Oranga Tamariki has worked with health professionals during his ... rehabilitation, and will continue to work alongside his extended family to help keep him safe and well.”

The agency could not say more about who was looking after the boy, because of the ongoing police inquiry and Family Court matters.

On the day police and medics were called, the boy’s stepmother, father and some of his extended wha¯nau were at the address.

No arrests have been made in the case, which has had 10 detectives and significant police resources dedicated to it, Foster said.

“There have big delays with this due to complexities of the case and seeking medical expert statements.” he said.

“I cannot make any further comments until we get the medical reports back.”

The boy spent several months at Starship children’s hospital in Auckland before regaining consciousness in April and being transferred to a rehab centre.