Tragedy struck on the R101 as a mother was arrested for murder after allegedly throwing her four-month-old baby out of a moving vehicle, resulting in the infant’s heartbreaking death.
Captain Johan van Dyk, spokesperson for the Tshwane District Police, said that Pretoria North police officers responded to the tragic incident on Monday at 12:30 PM, where they discovered four individuals standing beside the vehicle.
“Police officers from Pretoria North responded to a report of a possible murder on the R101 road to Pretoria.
“Upon arrival, officers found a white bakkie with four individuals standing beside the vehicle.”
Van Dyk stated that the driver told officers he had been assisting three passengers with transportation, including a woman with a four-month-old baby whom he had agreed to take to a clinic.
“He explained that he had informed the woman that he needed to collect another passenger before taking her to the clinic, to which she had agreed.
“However, as they passed the turn-off to the clinic, the woman questioned where they were going. The driver reassured her that they were en route to pick up another individual before heading to the clinic, as previously arranged.
“Suddenly, the woman threw the baby out of the moving vehicle’s window, causing the infant to land on the tar road,” he said.
Van Dyk added that after throwing the baby, the woman attempted to jump out of the moving vehicle, but another female passenger intervened, preventing her from falling.
The driver immediately pulled over and called emergency medical services for assistance.
Tragically, paramedics arrived but could only confirm that the baby had succumbed to the injuries at the scene.
The woman later claimed that she feared she was being kidnapped and acted in an attempt to escape.
Van Dyk further stated that the woman was arrested and charged with murder. She appeared before the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on March 4.
Pretoria News