Fugitive sought over child's injuries

Police are hunting James Allan Hemana in relation to serious head injuries suffered by a six-month-old baby boy. Photo / Supplied

Armed police surrounded a house north of Auckland for about two hours on Monday calling for a man wanted in connection with non-accidental injuries inflicted on a 6-month-old child.

But James Allan Hemana, also known as James Sylva, managed to evade police who yesterday held a press conference appealing for help in finding him.

The 30-year-old has been missing since his girlfriend's baby, Cezar Taylor, was taken to hospital with severe head injuries on Friday morning.

Detective Sergeant Richard Wilkie told the Herald the couple had only been together for about two months and were living together in Mangere East where the 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 last night 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".

"From what I can understand [the abuse] is ongoing events and we're working ... to identify any incidents that are relevant to us."

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

Hemana already had two warrants out for his arrest. Herald inquiries have discovered these included two charges in the Whangarei District Court, one of burglary and a charge of failing to answer bail.

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