• Full Story

Baby wasn't eating before death, court told

Email
Print

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 6:18a.m.

Cezar Taylor

Cezar Taylor

Six-month-old baby Cezar Taylor wasn't eating or drinking 11 days before he went to hospital with fatal head injuries, the Auckland High Court has heard.

James Allan Hemana, 31, the ex partner of the baby's mother Victoria Taylor, has pleaded not guilty to murder, but admitted to failing to provide the necessaries of life.

Cezar died in Starship hospital in July last year of injuries police said were consistent with shaking and a blow to the head.

The Crown said Hemana prevented Ms Taylor from taking her son to hospital, the NZ Herald reported.

Ms Taylor's grandmother, Shirley Brown, told the court she saw Cezar at a family gathering 11 days before he was admitted to hospital with severe brain injuries.

Ms Taylor had tried to feed Cezar a bottle and fresh vegetables, but he would not consume anything, Mrs Brown said.

Prior to the feeding incident, Hemana had violently shaken Cezar more than once, the Crown said.

Ms Taylor had tried to intervene but Hemana allegedly swore at and threatened her.

Ms Taylor described her son as a "very different baby" following the two incidents, Mr Shaw said.

The trial continues.

NZN

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

25 Nov 2011 11:05p.m.

Brett wrote:

Pondering, where do you get the notion that the authorities let this happen? ALOT of people ring the Police & CYF's and want to remain anonymous and aren't prepared to give statements and go to court to testify which makes the Police & CYF's job harder due to the evidential side of things as the family would naturally be on the defensive against any claims of abuse. There are so many adverts out there in magazines, TV depicting family violence however there is only so much the authorities can do. There is an old saying which says "You can lead a horse to water... you can't force it to drink"!

25 Nov 2011 03:51p.m.

Toni wrote:

For 11 days this wee boy didnt eat or drink anything!the mother(?)witnessed him being violently shaken prior to this and again after..and did NOTHING! She should be in the dock with the scum who's actions killed this baby. Sorry but saying she tried to intervene but Hemana swore at her and threatened her!SO WHAT??Any decent mother would not hang around to wait for violence to be inflicted on her child at all let alone AGAIN..out of fear for her own safety. Use the DOOR MORONIC B....and that baby might still be healthy and ALIVE. This female(dosnt deserve the name mother) should be charged with not acting to save her childs life. Fear is NO EXCUSE.Fear should make a person who cares about their child(more than themselves)ACT!

25 Nov 2011 09:59a.m.

lynne wrote:

Isnt it time to put these horrible abusers through the same treatment they dish out to innocent children! Wonder how they would cope being abused and starved.. They are so gutless and cowardly with no mercy for anyone and is jail really gonna change them I doubt it! Throw them on a desserted Island and leave them there to rot.

25 Nov 2011 09:43a.m.

katrina wrote:

Throw them both in jail and steralize them. People like this should not be allowed the privilege of being in charge of kids. When are mothers going to learn they have to be careful who they have around their little children and that they are responsible for them.

25 Nov 2011 09:30a.m.

pondering wrote:

For this man , old enough to be a grandad at 31yr, to have such unquestioned control over a young woman and her baby, to abuse them at will unstopped, means a whole bunch of people protecting and enabling him. Including mothers family, friends, his family, police and CYF . These horrific situations never happen with out the complicit knowledge of others around a family including the authorities. Until such time as the whole of NZ gets with the programme that it is not OK to abuse children and women, babies will keep being subjected to prolonged pain and fear ridden violent deaths. It starts from the top on down. To many times concerned people ring the cops and CYF and nothing is done. They get told to mind there own business. And shame on family who let their daughters, sisters and off spring be trapped in these fatal situations. Where was baby's dad( in prison) and where the grandads????