Woman detained in South Africa on suspicion of neglect after son's death — TimesLIVE

In Rouxville, South Africa, police detained a 41-year-old woman after the death of her four-year-old son. According to the preliminary version of law enforcement officers, the child may have gained access to alcohol and drunk it, TimesLIVE reports. Police in the Free State province have also opened a case to establish the circumstances of the boy's death.

Circumstances of the incident

According to police, on Saturday the woman left her home in the Rosemary Uitkoms area of Rouxville and went to drink alcohol. The four-year-old boy was left with a 15-year-old sibling, while his father was at work.

Free State police spokesperson Sinah Mpakane said that when the mother left, the child was feeling well and had no known illnesses. On Sunday morning, she said, the woman returned home heavily intoxicated and brought four bottles of Dankie Dop, after which she fell asleep.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Investigation continues

Police believe that while she was asleep, the boy may have been able to access the alcohol. When the father returned from work, he noticed that something was wrong with the child and called paramedics. The medics found the boy already dead and notified police.

The woman was detained on suspicion of child neglect. According to Mpakane, the investigation is ongoing, and the detainee is expected to appear before the Rouxville Magistrate's Court soon.