Shocking Child Abuse Arrest: 59-Year-Old Jeffreys Bay Childminder Faces Court After Toddler Found Injured

A 59-year-old childminder is expected to appear in the Humansdorp magistrate’s court on Monday following her arrest on serious child abuse charges in the Eastern Cape.

Police spokesperson Brig Nobuntu Gantana confirmed that the woman was taken into custody on New Year’s Day in Jeffreys Bay after a two-year-old girl in her care was discovered with open wounds.

Child Found Injured During Early Morning Police Visit

According to Gantana, police responded to a complaint at around 4am at a house in Govan Mbeki Street, Tokyo Sexwale, Jeffreys Bay.

“At the scene, police found a two-year-old girl with open wounds on her upper body,” Gantana said.

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“It is unknown how the victim sustained the injuries, as the minder was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.”

The young child was rushed to hospital, where she was admitted for medical treatment.

Police Condemn Incident as Investigation Widens

Gantana said the suspect was charged with child neglect and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Acting provincial police commissioner Maj-Gen Thandiswa Kupiso expressed strong condemnation of the incident.

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“It is disturbing and shocking that priority was given to entertainment and liquor over the safety of a helpless toddler,” Kupiso said.

She added that the family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit would lead a comprehensive investigation, working alongside the department of social development.

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