Hamilton District Court Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
A 22-year-old charged with the murder of a 10-month-old baby in Te Kūiti has appeared in Hamilton District Court.
The man did not enter a plea and was granted interim name suppression.
The summary of facts is also suppressed.
He has been remanded in custody until his next appearance on 2 July at the High Court in Hamilton.
Mustafa Ali was taken unconscious to Te Kūiti Hospital last Saturday afternoon, but could not be revived.
Family and friends buried Mustafa at the Te Kūiti Cemetery on Thursday. They gathered around the tiny grave, where a cross, flowers and soft toys were laid.
Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said the child died of violent blunt-force trauma, and the police knew him from non-accidental injuries he received in October last year.
When announcing the arrest on Friday afternoon, he said further charges might be laid as inquiries continued.
The police said Te Kūiti residents could continue to see officers in the area as the investigation continued.
