Pretoria couple denies attempted murder charges in infant abuse case

A Pretoria couple, charged with the attempted murder and abuse of their 4-month-old son, Baby M, pleaded not guilty in the Gauteng High Court.

They said that the State must prove its case against them. The couple, who cannot be named to protect their son's identity, allegedly abused Baby M from birth until he was admitted to the ICU at Pretoria West Hospital in 2020.

The couple were arrested at their Sunnyside flat after the baby struggled to breathe and was rushed to the hospital.

The baby had suffered several injuries, including several fractured ribs, a broken femur, respiratory failure, and facial injuries.

According to medical findings, there was evidence that it was not an isolated incident, but that it appeared that Baby M had been injured over time. This was based on findings that some of his fractures were in various stages of healing.

According to the prosecution, either both parents had assaulted the child, or the other actively participated in hurting the baby by not protecting him from the other parent.

According to the prosecution, medical help was only summoned on the day Baby M was taken to the hospital, as the mother by then realised that his injuries were so serious that he could potentially die.

The sister of the baby’s mother, who also cannot be identified, meanwhile, testified that her sister had sent her a message on October 25, 2020, asking her to urgently summon medical help for the baby.

The witness said she then phoned her mother, as the latter had a car.

Before heading to the couple’s flat, she and her mother went to the police station to ask for a police escort to the flat.

She explained that she did not know her sister’s boyfriend (the father of the baby), and as there was clearly something wrong with the baby, she thought it best to have the police at their side.

When they got to the flat, things were in shambles, with water spilled all over the floor. The baby was in his crib, and he looked like he was asleep.

The witness said she picked the child up, and she could hear his laboured breathing. She also noted that the top of his ear appeared to be torn from his head and that he had bruises around his mouth.

According to the sister, it also appeared to her that he had some broken ribs. She then took pictures of his injuries, which were handed to the court as exhibits, before rushing Baby M to the hospital. He remained there for several weeks.

The trial continues.

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