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An Adelaide father has been refused bail after his three-month-old baby girl suffered life-threatening injuries that have left her with permanent brain damage.
Yesterday, police arrested the 34-year-old from a Mawson Lakes home. He was found allegedly hiding in a laundry cupboard.
The father-of-five was charged with aggravated assault causing serious harm with intent and criminal neglect.
After he faced Adelaide Magistrates Court today, his brother defended him outside.
“He’s been looking after his kids for the past 10 years. He’s a great dad, you can go and ask everyone else,” his brother said.
Police alleged the father was taking care of the children on October 13 when he inflicted a brain injury on the child.
She was admitted to hospital for six weeks and, according to police, now has cerebral palsy and could be permanently blind.
The father claimed his daughter slipped out of his arms and hit her head on the floor.
But when his wife returned home, she noticed her daughter’s eyes “weren’t focusing” and an ambulance was called.
“The baby just fall asleep after having a cuddle and when the wife came back they called the ambulance and they did everything they could you know,” the brother said.
But police allege the child’s injuries indicate she did not slip but was intentionally thrown.
The magistrate said that the child’s injuries were too severe and refused the father’s application for bail.
The accused will remain behind bars until his next court appearance in April.
In the meantime, the child is in the care of her grandmother.
