NC toddler has part of skull removed, remains in vegetative state due to abuse by parents, police say

GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- A toddler in North Carolina is in a 'vegetative state,' and the child's parents are facing attempted murder and child abuse charges, according to police.

Arrest documents from the Garner Police Department state that on June 2nd, a 2-year-old was physically injured so severely that part of the toddler's skull had to be removed as part of a life-saving procedure.

More than two months after the alleged abuse, the child's mother is now facing charges in the investigation.

Vasantha Pasunuri was charged on Friday, August 28. Pasunuri is charged with four felonies related to the child's injuries.

The child's father, Kiran Pasunuri, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and child abuse in June, according to our newsgathering partner, the Raleigh News and Observer.

The documents obtained by ABC11 state that because of the severity of the neurological injuries, the child remains at risk for life-threatening complications that may result in death. Police say the child is not expected to ever have normal neurological or cognitive function.

The arrest warrants list the toddler’s injuries as hemorrhages to the brain, retinas and compression fractures of the T7 through T11 vertebrae. The documents do not say how the child was injured.

Both parents are accused of not getting medical attention for the child after the injuries occurred.