Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Man charged after Mangere baby dies of injuries

Updated at 4:29 pm on 30 July 2010

A man accused of assaulting a baby who subsequently died of head injuries appeared in the Manukau District Court on Friday.

James Allen Hemana, 30, who is the partner of the baby's mother, is charged with assaulting a child and remanded in custody until his next court appearance, on 25 August.

Police say they are considering laying further, more serious charges against Mr Hemana, who was arrested in Te Awamutu on Wednesday morning.

Six-month-old Cezar Taylor died in Auckland's Starship Hospital on Wednesday night after being injured in his home in Mangere East. He had been in intensive care since last Friday.

Post-mortem results were expected on Friday. Police earlier said the infant's injuries were consistent with shaking and blunt-force trauma.

Child Youth and Family says Cezar's mother had only recently moved to Auckland, where a new social worker had been assigned to their case.

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