A toddler has died in hospital after his father allegedly assaulted him over a four-month period on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

The two-year-old was flown to Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital with serious injuries on Thursday but died on Friday afternoon.

• Queensland man faces murder charge

The boy’s father, from Kin Kin near Gympie, is accused of assaulting the child between December and March.

The 33-year-old faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday charged with grievous bodily harm and four counts of assault, but police said they expected those charges to be upgraded to murder.

Detective Inspector Phil Hurst said the toddler was allegedly assaulted a number of times over the past four months, culminating in an incident at his family home on Wednesday.

Police have spoken with the toddler’s mother, but Detective Inspector Hurst would not comment on whether she would face charges.

“The investigation is ongoing and we’re considering a number of factors,” he said.

The child’s siblings are with extended family.

“The family are rallying together to support them,” Detective Inspector Hurst said.