Man wanted over hurt baby found

James Allan Hemana. Photo / Supplied

Police have found a man wanted in connection with non-accidental injuries inflicted on a 6-month-old child.

Thirty-year-old James Allan Hemana, also known as James Sylva, had been missing since his girlfriend's baby, Cezar Taylor, was taken to hospital with severe head injuries on Friday morning.

Constable Clare Jackson said Hemana had beeen found at a Te Awamutu home after police executed search warrants in the Waikato town early this morning.

"Cezar's family have been advised that Hemana has been found and are thankful to the police and public," Ms Jackson said.

She said police were also speaking to three women from the Te Awamutu address.

Detective Sergeant Richard Wilkie told Radio New Zealand Hemana had been arrested on previous warrants.

Herald inquiries earlier found Hemana had two outstanding warrants for his arrest, which included two charges in the Whangarei District Court
- one of burglary and a charge of failing to answer bail.

Mr Wilkie yesterday told the Herald Hemana had only been with Cezar's mother for about two months and the couple were living together in Mangere East where the baby's injuries are believed to have occurred.

The injuries were consistent with "shaking and blunt force trauma, which is a blow to the head" and appeared to have happened over a period of time. It was not yet known whether a weapon was used.

Cezar was initially taken to Middlemore Hospital before being transferred to Starship where he remained in a critical condition this morning, supported by whanau.

A man, who did not want to be named, said police spent about two hours outside a house on Oruawharo Rd, northwest of Wellsford, on Monday night, calling Hemana's name over a speaker.

A helicopter circled above the property and a police dog was used, said the man, who went to primary school with Hemana so recognised the name.

"They were yelling out for him to come out ... they said they were the Auckland Armed Offenders Squad and the house was surrounded.

"I saw about five vehicles parked up the road, there was a cordon set up the road with a couple of police cars."

Mr Wilkie said Hemana, who had a number of relatives living in Wellsford, had been at the address previously. Officers had been in Wellsford over the past two days speaking with family, including his mother.

Hemana also had associates in Whangarei and the Waikato. Cezar's mother had been "very helpful".

Police had conducted an extensive scene examination of the house where Cezar lived and also interviewed other family members and neighbours who described hearing raised voices before he was taken to hospital.

* Anyone with information is being urged to call (09) 261-1300 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

- With NZHERALD STAFF