EX-PRESCHOOL TEACHER ACCUSED OF BURNING 2-YEAR-OLD WITH BOILING WATER STARTS TRIAL


The preschool teacher accused of severely burning a 2-year-old boy with boiling hot water for soiling himself will return to the Alexandra Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 18 April for trial. We trust the state is ready to proceed and three witnesses, including the parents of the boy, are expected to testify.

The incident happened at Stepping Stone Day Care Centre in January 2021, and a criminal case was subsequently opened against a young woman in her 20s in February of that same year. We’ve had several unnecessary postponements in the case since then, such as loadshedding, and the prosecutor and/or attorney being unavailable to proceed.

The offender was initially charged with assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but that was later changed to attempted murder. The boy suffered severe burns to his legs and buttocks during the attack and has had challenges walking properly because of it. He is also severely traumatized and has had to get therapeutic assistance to manage his trauma.

WMACA hopes for a speedy trial, and we demand that the family be granted the justice they deserve.

For further comment, please contact:

Jade Kelmovitz: 060 492 8495