A shocking case has emerged from Botsalano, North West, where Morokweng police are investigating the murder of a 10-month-old baby girl.
10-month-old baby dies in the care of a North West mom’s ‘friend’
The baby was found with head injuries and bruises on her body on Friday, 19 January 2024.
Reports indicate that the baby’s mother, having to leave her home for a while, entrusted her child to a friend on Thursday, 18 January 2024.
Bizarrely, a neighbour’s 11-year-old boy visited the friend later that evening. He claimed that the baby’s grandmother had sent him to collect the child.
The friend, believing the boy, handed over the baby. The next morning brought a heartbreaking discovery; the friend found the baby dead in her yard.
Police and Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) were called to the scene, where the baby was declared dead. This tragic incident has sent ripples of grief and concern throughout the community.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh disclosed that the 11-year-old boy, the prime suspect in the murder case, is currently under parental supervision, will undergo evaluation by a social worker.
He will be dealt with according to the Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act No. 75 of 2008).
Further, a post-mortem is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
In light of this tragic incident, the police have urged anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to contact authorities and, more importantly, allow police to conduct their investigations thoroughly to ensure justice is served.