CYF's involvement with baby to be reviewed

Cezar Taylor died in Starship Hospital last night. Photo / Supplied

The office of the chief social worker will review Child Youth and Family's involvement with a six-month-old infant who died following non-accidental head injuries.

Cezar Taylor died on Wednesday night after being admitted to Starship Hospital earlier this week with injuries consistent with shaking and blunt force trauma.

The boyfriend of the infant's mother, James Allan Hemana, has been charged with assaulting Taylor.

Child Youth and Family says it has been involved with the family numerous times over recent years and a review will be conducted of the case as part of standard procedures.

Child advocate Christine Rankin told Newstalk ZB that child abuse was a "national shame" and Taylor's death is yet another example of why CYF needs a shake-up.

"CYF is the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. The whole thing is a mess from head to toe. I think it needs an urgent review," Mrs Rankin told Newstalk ZB

Meanwhile, the New Zealand branch of the United Nations' children's fund says the death of Cezar Taylor is a reminder to communities to remain vigilant in the fight against child abuse.

Unicef NZ national advocacy manager Barbara Lambourn said violence against children was something New Zealanders were all too familiar with.

"This is a reminder that Kiwi communities must be ever watchful and take action if there is any reason to be concerned about what is happening to children in their families and neighbourhoods," she said.

Ms Lambourn said the Government needed to ensure laws, systems and procedures were in place to ensure children were protected from abuse, but that it and Child, Youth and Family needed support from the public.

"CYF workers make very difficult judgment calls about protecting children from violence every day. They need families, neighbours, colleagues, communities and professionals all to play their part as agents for child protection," she said.

"If there is any reason at all to think that a child is at risk of harm, then it is time to be brave and speak out.

"Making information known about families believed to be at risk was not prying or gossiping or breaking confidentiality. It's an essential strategy to protect children. What goes on in our neighbourhoods and communities is the business of every responsible adult. Clearly it is time we all took that responsibility much more seriously."

Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Wilkie said Cezar's 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.

Hemana was arrested in Te Awamutu and appeared in the District Court there yesterday. He is due to appear in Manukau District Court tomorrow.

A post mortem on Cezar's body began today and was expected to continue tomorrow.

The body of the child would be released to the family some time later tomorrow.

- NZPA, NZ Herald staff