Phoenix toddler hospitalised after assault, mother and boyfriend charged

A shocking and disturbing video of a four-year-old Phoenix toddler who was violently assaulted at the hands of her mother, while her boyfriend records the brutal incident, has gone viral on social media, inciting anger among members of the community, reports Phoenix Sun.

The toddler was admitted to hospital with swollen legs, internal injuries and a blood clot on her brain.
The one minute and 58-second long video shows the mother violently hitting and kicking the toddler, who can be heard crying furiously.

The assault occurred after the child accidentally urinated on the floor, according to the mother and boyfriend in the video.

It shows the boyfriend lying on the bed, telling the child to get up and tell her mother that she “peed on the floor”.

At one point in the video, the mother can also be heard telling her daughter that she will lead her to suffering a nervous breakdown.

The mother and her boyfriend were arrested on Wednesday. They were charged with GBH and appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The two were granted bail of R3 000 each and are set to reappear before the court again on April 11.

Cpt L Naidoo, communications officer of Phoenix SAPS, said: “The case of assault GBH is being investigated by the Phoenix Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit. The incident was reported by the mother. She alleged that she had been forced into the assault by her boyfriend who had threatened to kill her had she not assaulted the child while he recorded it.”