A four-month-old baby girl was allegedly sexually assaulted after her mother asked a friend to babysit her.
According to the spokesperson for the Bedfordview SAPS, Warrant Officer Mduduzi Nhlabathi, the baby’s mother left her with a friend while she went to the shops.
W/O Nhlabathi said the incident took place in Elandsfontein.
He said the baby’s mother, who was gone for an hour, came back to find her baby undressed and with her friend’s husband.
“When she left for the stores, her baby was fully clothed. However, upon her return she found her baby only in her nappy. When she asked him why her baby was undressed, the man told her it was hot,” said W/O Nhlabathi.
He said the complainant inspected the baby when she arrived at her place.
“The complainant said her baby cried when she was bathing her and her private parts showed redness. It was at this point that the complainant phoned the police to report the matter,” said W/O Nhlabathi.
He said the baby was taken to Germiston Hospital where a doctor ran tests on her.
He said the suspect was arrested.
W/O Nhlabathi said parents should only leave their children in the hands of people they can trust.
“Parents of older children must be open with their children. Assure them that they can trust you enough to tell you if someone touches them inappropriately, and make them feel safe in doing so,” he said.
He said the station has zero tolerance to crime against women and children. “We work around the clock to bring criminals to book. Those taking advantage of vulnerable children will face the full might of the law and will be brought to book,” said W/O Nhlabathi.
