Two 19-year-olds charged with murder following Southland child's death

A man and a woman, both aged 19, have been charged with the murder of a toddler in Southland. The pair appeared before Judge Mark Williams in the Invercargill District Court on Friday and were denied bail. The case has been transferred to the High Court, where the pair is scheduled to appear on 13 October.

The child was taken to hospital in critical condition after emergency services were called to an Otautau property at 6.50pm on Sunday. The child died on Wednesday afternoon at Auckland’s Starship Hospital. Court documents state the injuries were caused between 28 August and 20 September.

The defendants were initially charged on Monday with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The charges were upgraded to murder following the child's death. The man appeared in the dock wearing a prison-issued gown, while the woman appeared via audiovisual link.

Detective Inspector Stu Harvey said, "We know this tragic incident will no doubt be felt widely in the Otautau community, and police will be providing reassurance over the coming days".

Where reports differ

• One report states the pair appeared jointly on Monday, while another notes they were charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Compiled from reports by Stuff, The Press and 1News.