Abandoned kids’ dad investigated too
The father of three young children left alone for four days while their mom went out drinking is also being probed.
|||Cape Town - The identity of the father of three young children – left alone for four days while their mother went out drinking – is being investigated.
The 35-year-old mother left her children – aged one, three and nine – alone for four days at their home in Tubelitsha, near Delft, while out drinking with friends, police spokesperson FC van Wyk said.
Neighbours called police after they found the children hungry, dirty and reeking of urine. At the time police arrested the woman she was “still reeking of alcohol”.
Western Cape Social Development MEC Albert Fritz’s spokesperson, Sihle Ngobese, said on Thursday the identity of the father, and where he was at the time the children were left alone, is also being investigated.
“More details about the incident, including the identity of relatives and the identity of the father, will surface as the investigation develops. Right now our priority is the protection of the children,” Ngobese said.
Fritz said the children are at a place of safety. “Of great concern is the allegation that the mother left the three children alone and unsupervised in their home for four days to go on a drug and alcohol binge.
“The department commends neighbours for alerting the police and department to this situation. Through their action we have been able to act to protect these children,” Fritz said.
The mother was charged with child abandonment and neglect and is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Delft station commander Brigadier Hendrik Jansen previously warned parents to act responsibly, adding that leaving children to fend for themselves was negligence.
* Contact the 0800 220 250 hotline to report child abuse or neglect.
Cape Times