A baby had about 40 cuts, bruises and fractures over his body when discovered by his mother following a break-in at their Victorian home.
Casey Veal found her 11-month-old son Zayden Veal unresponsive in blood-stained sheets in his cot moments after realising their Bendigo home had been robbed as they slept. He died later in hospital.
Pathologist Jacqueline Lee told the Bendigo Magistrates Court Zayden had a minimum of 25 cuts and bruises to his face.
The injuries were likely caused by either a hand or a blunt instrument with either a pushing or striking motion, Dr Lee told the court on Thursday.
The autopsy also found around eight injuries to Zayden's scalp, including bruising and fractures on the right side of his head likely caused by blows of severe force.
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Zayden had a further seven injuries to his torso including a broken collarbone and bruising to his chest, back and shoulder, the court heard.
Dr Lee said Zayden was likely dead by the time Ms Veal found him.
"Once the injuries that I saw were sustained the child would've been dead very shortly thereafter," she said.
Dr Lee said Zayden also had a partially broken rib, which had happened prior to any injuries caused on the night of the burglary.
Harley Hicks, 20, of North Bendigo, has been charged with the murder of baby Zayden on June 15 last year.
Hicks allegedly entered the home, in the Bendigo suburb of Long Gully, armed with a baton and stole two wallets and a pair of sunglasses.
Police connected Hicks to Zayden's death given he was a suspect in robberies from nearby homes in the days leading up to and on the night in question.
Detective Senior Constable Tony Harwood told Hicks' committal hearing one of the wallets stolen from the Veal house was found at an address at which Hicks had been staying.
"That puts ... Mr Hicks in the house, prior to that he was just in the area," Det Sen Con Harwood said.
The court also heard the DNA samples found on the baton which police believe Hicks carried with him during the burglary could belong to Hicks and Zayden.
Hicks is charged with aggravated burglary, theft and murder.
His committal hearing is expected to conclude on Friday.
