A five-month-old boy died yesterday from brutal injuries, including a fractured skull and collar bone.

Earlier yesterday while the baby was on a life support system, the 18-year-old godmother and a 26-year-old man were charged in Magistrates' Court with attempting to murder the baby between August 16 and 28 while concerned together.

But following the baby's death late yesterday afternoon, Sharina Anne Tuzo and Jermaine Noel Pearman, both of Bob's Valley, Sandys, will now be charged with manslaughter and murder respectively of Saed Rami Nadir Young.

During their court appearance yesterday morning, the couple were not required to enter a plea on the indictable charge.

But Crown counsel Khamisi Tokunbo told the court that the couple could be charged of murder if the baby died.

And shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday Police revealed that the infant had succumbed to his injuries in the Intensive Care Unit of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, three days after he was admitted.

Attorney General Elliott Mottley told The Royal Gazette he expected Pearman to be charged with murder and Tuzo with manslaughter on their next scheduled court appearance.

The couple -- who were denied bail and remanded in custody -- yesterday appeared in court in separate cars in the company of several plain clothed and uniformed Police officers.

A small crowd of curious onlookers gathered outside the court to catch a peek of the pair being led into the building while the court room filled to standing room only.

A sobbing Tuzo and Pearman, with his head buried in his hands, were kept apart during the proceedings.

Senior Magistrate William Francis explained to Tuzo, who was represented by lawyer Lawrence Scott, and Pearman, who was unrepresented, that the matter would not be tried in the lower but before a Supreme Court judge and jury.

Mr. Tokunbo told the court that the pair were in Police custody and he asked that they be remanded in custody and not granted bail.

This was due to the seriousness of the alleged offence, the fact that the investigation was in its early stages, and that the victim was a five-month-old baby who was not expected to survive.

He also noted that the defendants had knowledge of the witnesses involved in the case.

Mr. Francis said: "This is a domestic matter and the witnesses could be interfered with, that's what you are telling me.'' Mr. Tokunbo said this was correct, adding that Tuzo was the godmother of the victim.

Mr. Scott acknowledged that if the child died then Mr. Francis would not be able to grant bail for his client under law.

And he agreed that in "these domestic matters'' there was always a suspicion of interference with the witnesses, but he said statements had already been taken and they were set in stone.

Mr. Scott added that he had not seen "significant evidence'' pertaining to the alleged crime.

After hearing their arguments, Mr. Francis told the court: "This is a family matter and in a family setting there is no way I can make an order to prevent witness tampering or willing or unwilling interference.

"Furthermore no one denies the high likelihood that this victim may die although we all hope and pray otherwise. If that is the case, the result will be a change of the charge from attempted murder to murder.

"I have to have regard for the public's welfare and justice. I find I have to remand both defendants in custody.'' Pearman left the court quickly while Tuzo stopped to be comforted by a woman standing in the courtroom before being taken away.

The pair will return to court on September 12 for mention.

Meanwhile, chairperson of the hospital's Child Protection Team June Hill said they were deeply saddened by the incident.

And Dr. Hill stressed that healthcare officials, as was done in this case, will investigate all cases of suspicious injuries in children to ensure their protection and safety.

CO-ACCUSED -- A tearful Sharina Anne Tuzo (pictured on top) and Jermaine Noel Pearman (below) are seen outside Magistrates' Court yesterday morning. The pair were charged with attempting to murder Tuzo's five-month-old godson Saed Rami Nadir Young.