A man and a woman have pleaded not guilty to charges in Lower Hutt as police continue to investigate how two young siblings suffered horrific injuries.
Aged four and five years old, it took weeks to understand the full extent of their injuries, which they needed surgery for, police said last week.
They both had a “multitude” of broken bones and extensive bruising.
One child had brain bleeds and severe internal injuries.
The children are “recovering well” and are now safe.
Today, a 25-year-old man was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, wilful ill-treatment of a dog, attempting to pervert the course of justice and selling cannabis and cultivating cannabis.
A 25-year-old woman was charged with two counts of failing to protect a child, two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, and failure to carry out obligations in relation to a computer search.
Both were held in custody overnight and appeared in the Hutt Valley District Court earlier today.
The woman hugged her knees to her chest and closed her eyes when she appeared in court. Members of the public gallery cried when the man appeared in court later.
Both have been remanded in custody until a reappearance on May 23. The pair’s names are suppressed by the court.
The court appearances follow two search warrants executed by police in the Hutt Valley yesterday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Cotton said she was “elated” to share the news and recognised “the genuine concern and outrage from the community that has gotten us here”.
“This result cannot be attributed to any one thing — a number of enquiries have taken place over the past week culminating in interviews with the two people that have been charged yesterday afternoon.
“Our priorities have been twofold — ensuring those responsible for the harm these two children have suffered are put before the court, and the ongoing welfare of these two siblings.”
Cotton said police will continue to investigate and aren’t ruling out any further charges.
“As a result of the two arrests, police have a substantial amount of further inquiries to conduct.”
Police are continuing to appeal for any information that may help in its investigation.
Investigators are encouraging anyone with information to call 105 and reference file number: 240308/4647.
Additional reporting by Sam Olley