A South Australian couple accused of neglecting their baby so badly he was "close to death" have failed to properly explain what happened to the child, a court has been told.
Ebanee Gayl Coad, 31, and Jeremy Neil Capper, 32, were charged with criminal neglect last year after an investigation by South Australia Police and the Department for Child Protection.
The pair appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, where Magistrate Simon Smart removed a bail condition preventing them from contacting each other.
The variation was opposed by prosecutors, who said their version of events does not account for the injuries of the child and raised concerns they would be able to discuss a defence.
Outside court, Coad said she was fighting to regain custody of her children.
"That's all that matters to me," she said.
"I just want my children back."
She said she had not been in contact with Capper for over six months, but would not clarify whether she knew how her son came to be injured.
Coad's sister, Toree Coad, said Capper had "changed" since the alleged neglect took place.
She said the pair wanted to be able to live together so they could support each other.
"He wants to get his life back on track because he wants to do right by his wife and children and support her," she said.
"She shouldn't have to lose her husband."
The court has previously heard the couple were charged after they took the four-month-old boy to hospital, where injuries including a fractured skull, broken ribs and bruises were discovered.
Prosecutors said the child, who doctors described as being "close to death", was also severely dehydrated and suffering from kidney failure.
The baby had to be airlifted to Adelaide for intensive treatment.
Mr Smart continued Coad and Capper's bail to reappear before the court next month.
Australian Associated Press