North West father arrested after toddler’s lifeless body found in ceiling
Updated | By Nokukhanya N Mntambo
A 47-year-old man appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court in North West on Wednesday on charges of kidnapping and murder.
The Alabama resident was arrested on Saturday after the lifeless body of his two-year-old daughter was found inside the ceiling of his home.
The girl’s mother had been hospitalised at the time, leaving her in the care of relatives.
It’s alleged the man fetched the toddler from the relatives and visited his girlfriend in Jourberton on Thursday.
But when asked about the child’s whereabouts later, he denied taking her.
“The family members who at the time were taking care of the child, did not mind when the father was taking the child as he usually did when he passed by the mother’s house,” said provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Henry Mamothame.
“On 14 May 2021 when the mother got discharged from hospital, she went on a search for the baby with the help of family members but they could not find her. The following day, she went to Jouberton Police Station where a case of a missing person was opened.”
The man was arrested and initially only charged with kidnapping.
“It is alleged that on Monday, 17 May 2021 following a bad smell coming from the suspect’s house, the neighbours investigated and discovered the lifeless body of the child hidden inside the ceiling,” Mamothame added.
“The police were called and a murder charge was added.”
The matter was postponed to 26 May for further investigations and a bail application which the state is expected to oppose.
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