A baby boy from Sydney had just started learning to walk when he was allegedly shaken so badly his heart stopped.
The 13-month-old lived, but will never walk again.
The man accused of the attack, allegedly the boy's de facto stepfather, will remain behind bars after a brief appearance in a Sydney court on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old from Quaker's Hill was arrested on Tuesday, more than four months after the alleged attack, and charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The baby boy was rushed to hospital on the evening of February 20 in cardiac arrest and with serious injuries to his head, spinal cord and eyes, police say.
Doctors told police he appeared to have been shaken vigorously and would be wheelchair bound and in need of specialised care for life.
Fighting back tears outside Blacktown Local Court on Wednesday, a woman claiming to be the boy's godmother said he had been a happy child who took his first steps just weeks before the alleged attack.
"He's doing a lot better than he was," she told reporters.
"He's smiling, he's starting to eat ... he's starting to say some words.
"He'll never walk again."
She said the boy was released from hospital a couple of months ago and was now living with a carer.
His alleged attacker, who yawned and played with his hair during a brief appearance via videolink, made no application for bail and it was formally refused by magistrate Tim Keady.
He will next appear at Penrith Local Court on September 4.
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