Baby dies as police lay charges against mother's partner

James Allan Hemana. Photo / Supplied

A baby hospitalised with severe head injuries after an alleged assault has died.

Cezar Taylor, aged 6 months, from Mangere East, is understood to have died surrounded by his family in Auckland's Starship Hospital last night.

The partner of the child's mother, James Allan Hemana, 30, also known as James Sylva, has been charged with assaulting the baby.

Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Wilkie said last night the inquiry would "change from an investigation about a baby that has suffered serious injuries to something more serious".

Hemana was found at a house in Kihikihi, near Te Awamutu, early yesterday.

He appeared in Te Awamutu District Court yesterday, charged with assaulting Cezar Taylor. He also faced two charges of failing to appear in Whangarei District Court on an unrelated matter.

Hemana, who did not enter a plea, was remanded in custody to appear in Manukau District Court on July 30.

Cezar was admitted to Auckland's Starship Hospital with serious head injuries on Friday morning.

Mr Wilkie said police were also speaking to three women at the house where Hemana was found.

He said Cezar's injuries were consistent with "shaking and blunt force trauma, which is a blow to the head".