A four-year-old boy is likely to grow up severely disabled if he lives, after suffering critical injuries in Flaxmere.
Detective inspector Mike Foster described the boy's injuries as among the most severe he's seen on a child in his 30-year policing career.
The boy was found at a property on Ramsey Crescent at around 10pm on January 29, and taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital that night in a critical condition.
Police told 1 NEWS they believe the boy has “been through hell” after being discovered with “injuries all over his body” which they are sure were not self-inflicted.
The child was in the family home at the time and Mr Foster says police are “talking with the family” to try and piece together the timeline of events.
However, police are also appealing to the public as there is a possibility some of the injuries occurred outside of the home that someone in the community or family could have seen.
He's currently being treated at Auckland's Starship Hospital and remains in a serious condition, police said.
If he manages to survive, it's likely he'll be "severely disabled and brain damaged", police said today.
Police are urgently appealing for more information around his injuries as the investigation continues.
"We would urge people to do the right thing by this child and help us work out exactly what’s happened," Mr Foster said.
"Please let us know anything that may help, no matter how small."
A number of people are already being spoken to, Mr Foster said.
Information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or by calling Hawke's Bay police on (06) 873 0524.
SHARE ME