Father arrested for assault of 4-month-old baby
The 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with assault with the intent to do grevious bodily harm after the child was hospitalised with broken ribs, a broken leg and bruises to the face.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his four-month-old baby, breaking his ribs and a leg, Pretoria Rekord reports.
Police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela said the man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, was arrested in Gezina, Pretoria on Monday.
“It is believed that the child was injured during a domestic dispute between two adults,” he said. The baby was hospitalised.
“The suspect appeared in court [last week] on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.”
In a Facebook post, organisation Pixie Pink said the little boy sustained six broken ribs, a broken leg, a nearly ripped-off ear, bruises to his face and head and body.
Pixie Pink is an organisation run by a woman with the same name which advocates for abused women and children and who is in direct contact with the baby’s mother.
The post said the organisation would be assisting the mother with the case which would see a team of experts investigating.
“According to the 18-year-old mother, the father was a hardcore drug user and he has been abusive for quite some time,” the post said.
“He locked her in a room since Friday, and assaulted the baby on several occasions. He also assaulted her.”
The case was remanded to 5 November, and will be transferred to the regional court.
Toys for Africa founder Danie van Loggerenberg said if people suspected that a child was being abused, they should immediately contact Childline or the Toys for Africa hotline.
“We will then make contact with the relevant authority,” he said.
“We will make sure that the child is being assisted. In most instances, we will ask a social worker to investigate the circumstances depending on what the complaint is.”
Van Loggerenberg said it was important for neighbours who witnessed a child being abused not to intervene as this might endanger them and the child.
“As much as you want to be a hero and save the kids, it’s not advisable that you confront someone who is already aggressive who might have a weapon on them.
“We are able to immediately get somebody out when we receive a report.”
Van Loggerenberg said abuse could range from alienation of children by the respective parents, physical, emotional, psychological abuse, cyber bullying and normal bullying.
He encouraged parents and teachers to have important numbers saved in their children’s phones and to teach them how to use them.
Important contact numbers
- Pretoria east childline: 060-562-8043 (text and calls)
- Centurion childline: 071-192-0569 (text and calls)
- Pretoria Central childline: 060-808-2261 (text and calls)
- Childline: 080-005-5555
- SAPS: 0800-10111
Read original story on rekordeast.co.za
