A Tasmanian man has pleaded not guilty to murdering 10-month-old Khaylan Shane Butler at a home on Hobart’s eastern shore in December last year.

Daniel John Ridgers, 25, of Warrane, appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday via video link.

As he pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, Khaylan’s family wept and comforted each other.

Khaylan was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital by ambulance from a Warrane home just after 1am on December 1.

Mr Ridgers was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Khaylan but on December 4 police announced the charge had been upgraded to murder.

The court has previously heard police allege Mr Ridgers shook Khaylan and then dropped him in his cot.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly remanded Mr Ridgers in custody until his next court appearance on March 28.

Khaylan would have celebrated his first birthday on January 18. Instead, his family and friends gathered for a memorial.

“At 10 months old, he grew such a big cheeky personality and was the happiest baby,” Khaylan’s mother, Maddison Butler, said at the memorial.

“There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t miss you, or think about you.”

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