A Limpopo mother is scheduled to appear in court on Monday on child neglect charges after her six-month-old baby died.
Police allege that the woman went on a drinking binge and left the child in the care of a 12-year-old family member.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, a Limpopo police spokeswoman, said police went to a complaint at Atok village in Apel, Sekhukhune District, on Saturday night at 11 p.m., where they discovered the baby’s lifeless body.
“Reports indicate that the mother left the child in the care of a 12-year-old [family member] on Thursday morning (October 10) at around 9am.”
Police said the 23-year-old woman was detained for child neglect.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Limpopo Provincial Commissioner, advised the community to prioritize children’s well-being and report any incidences of neglect to authorities.
“This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the responsibilities of parenthood and the devastating consequences that can arise from negligence,” says Hadebe.
The woman is scheduled to appear before the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on Monday.