Critically ill baby bashed on head

The family of a six-month-old boy who suffered severe head injuries are in a nervous vigil at his hospital bedside.

Cezar Taylor was rushed to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital on Friday morning with injuries after an incident at his mother's house in the suburb of Mangere East. He has since been transferred to Starship children's hospital.

Police made a public appeal yesterday for information on the whereabouts of Cezar's mother's partner. He is 30-year-old James Allan Hemana, who is also known as James Sylva.

Detective Senior Sergeant Richie Wilkie said the baby's family faced a nervous wait over his prospects for recovery.

"We are working very closely with the medical [staff]. They are very, very serious injuries. We are thankful that [his condition] is now stabilised, but it is still critical."

Mr Wilkie said the baby's injuries appeared to have been caused by shaking and a blunt force trauma – a blow to the head.

"We are working with medical staff to try and identify what might have caused those injuries. We haven't shut our mind off to what may have caused them. We are looking at all options."

Police urgently wanted to speak to Hemana.

He is also wanted on unrelated dishonesty charges in Whangarei District Court.

Cezar's mother and family were co-operating with police inquiries. Officers had examined the house, and spoken to Taylor family members and neighbours, Mr Wilkie said.

Police had been told by neighbours there had been "raised voices" at the property before Cezar was taken to hospital.

- © Fairfax NZ News