Infant abuse case: Pretoria couple pleads not guilty to attempted murder

A Pretoria couple charged with the attempted murder and abuse of their then 4-month-old son, only identified as Baby M, on Monday pleaded not guilty to the charges and told the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, that the State will have to prove its case against them.

It is claimed that the couple, who cannot be named to safeguard their son's identity, abused the baby from birth until he was eventually admitted to the ICU at the Pretoria West Hospital in 2020.

The couple, the biological parents of the baby, 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 this 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.

While both parents denied any knowledge of the injuries or how they had occurred, the prosecution informed the court that it would rely on the doctrine of common purpose.

According to the prosecution, the parents were equally guilty, and it was said that either both parents had assaulted the child, or that 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 on Monday that her sister had sent her a message on October 25, 2020, asking her to urgently summon medical help for the baby.

“My sister said there was something seriously wrong with M’s head. She did not go into the details, and I did not ask, as it was a medical emergency.”

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 immediately 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.

zelda.venter@inl.co.za