A man accused of strangling six-month-old baby and injuring his genitals has refused to appear in a Melbourne court.
Dwayne Justin Lindsey, 33, a friend of the boy's mother, was expected to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday but refused to leave his cell.
He is accused murdering six-month-old Chayse Dearing while looking after the boy at a unit in Isla Avenue, Glenroy, on Sunday while his mum went to the local shops.
Police urged Lindsey to hand himself in on Wednesday and he was arrested by homicide detectives at a home in Sunshine North on Thursday afternoon.
No information in relation to the baby's death was given in Friday's brief hearing but an out-of-sessions hearing on Thursday night was told the boy suffered head, strangulation and genital injuries at the hands of Lindsey.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The boy was rushed to hospital on Sunday but medical experts deemed the his injuries "unsurvivable" and his life support was turned off on Tuesday.
On Friday, Lindsey's lawyer Jasmine Pisasale told Magistrate Belinda Wallington she had "serious concerns" for her client's physical and mental well-being and he was at risk of self harm.
She requested he be assessed by a nurse while in custody.
Lindsey, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody to appear at a committal mention hearing at the same court on November 24.
* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
