Man charged with harming, burning 10-month old baby in Australia

A 10-month old baby has been placed into an induced coma after suffering "horrendous" injuries allegedly at the hands of his mother's boyfriend.

Atare Tepania, 23, was refused bail in a Western Sydney court on Monday for recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm after allegedly leaving the 10 month old in a bath with the hot water tap running to have a cigarette and charge his phone.

Detective Superintendent Brett McFadden told reporters the 10-month-old baby was treated by paramedics at the scene before being transferred to Westmead Children's Hospital and placed into an induce coma with extensive burns and critical head injuries.

"We understand that some of the injuries relate to burning of the skin and about 40 percent of the child's body. There are other injuries there that appear to be consistent with blunt force trauma," McFadden said.

McFadden wouldn't say weather the injuries were deliberate, however the burns appeared to be from scalding hot water.

It is believed Tepania is not the baby's father, however was in a relationship with his mother.

Tepania returns to court on December 14.

Sources: XINHUA