A jury trial is underway in Tauranga District Court against two people charged with child neglect.
Bronwyn Williams and Matthew Gray are accused of neglecting Ms Williams' daughter between January and April last year, with the child turning two during that time.
The Crown claims the couple - who were living together as partners at Mt Maunganui - either physically abused the toddler or permitted her to be abused, and failed to obtain medical care in a timely way.
A jury of five men and seven women is hearing the case and has been shown photos of bruises on the youngster's body.
Crown prosecutor Greg Hollister-Jones told the jurors they'll hear from a leading paediatrician who has reviewed material from a local medical centre, Tauranga Hospital and Starship Hospital.
He says the expert will provide his opinion that the bruises were a result of non-accidental injury because of their number, their location and the pattern of some of them.
The child's paternal grandmother, Glenna Bueno, has been the first witness to give evidence.
She's told the court how the child appeared "terrible" when she visited the couple's apartment one day in February last year.
"She was withdrawn, pale, had hair all over her face, she stunk - was not in good condition," said Ms Bueno.
She said Ms Williams told her that the toddler's bruises were due to her being a "silly-billy" and "clumsy" as she got used to their new house, and said she'd been falling off the coffee table.
The child's grandmother fought back tears as described the extent of bruising on her grand-daughter's body - and claims her personality changed around the time of the alleged offending last year.
The defence lawyer for Matthew Gray described the case as a "witch-hunt" against his client.
The trial is set down for five days.
Newshub.
