UPDATE: Boy (10) who tried to harm himself is healthy and back at school
The boy is reportedly back at home.
Laerskool Goudrand has confirmed that one of its 10-year-old learners, who allegedly tried to take his own life on May 26 at Smiley Kids Boksburg North where he attends aftercare, is now healthy and back at school.
Shelton Botes, head of marketing at Laerskool Goudrand, said the school is doing everything in its power to support the child.
“The boy seems happy at school and we also encourage him to participate in sports activities. As far as we know, the boy is back at home,” said Botes.
Smiley Kids management confirmed the incident on May 27, saying the boy tried to harm himself because of problems at home and also has anger management issues.
“Our centre was in the process of arranging psychological help for him, but this initiative required his parents to give consent before we could start the process.
“His mother eventually gave us the consent letter on Wednesday evening (May 25), allowing the school to arrange help for the boy. However, he tried to harm himself on Thursday while we were still in the process of getting him to help through Kuselo Child and Youth Services,” said the school management after the incident.
The school explained that it was time for the boy to eat and then do his homework, but the boy said he wanted to go to the bathroom.
It appears he didn’t go to the bathroom. Instead, he went to a section of the schoolyard where the teachers could not see him as they were in the classrooms with the other children. That’s where he tried to harm himself.
Boksburg North SAPS previously confirmed police are investigating a case of attempted suicide.
According to the SAPS spokesperson, Constable Justice Ramaube, the Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) will investigate the incident.
“The court will then advise the investigating officer on how to deal with the matter,” said Ramaube.
Ramaube confirmed in a CCTV video clip the child is seen walking to a jungle gym alone with a scarf around his shoulders, which he then used to hang himself from the jungle gym.
Police could not divulge more information about the investigation.
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