SA Police charge teen babysitter with criminal neglect after 3yo suffers horrific injuries

WARNING: Distressing Content. A toddler suffered injuries so severe he needed to be intubated in hospital in a horror case of alleged criminal neglect by a teenage babysitter. South Australia Police and paramedics attended a home in Adelaide’s outer south on September 19 due to suspicious injuries of a three-year-old boy living at the address. Detective Chief Inspector Mark McEachern said the boy’s injuries were “very significant”, with the toddler suffering burns, internal injuries and spinal damage. He was taken to hospital as a result. “When the child was in hospital, the extent of the injuries were then identified. They included terrible injuries such as burns to the face, inside of the mouth, limbs, feet, bruising throughout whole body, significant abdominal injuries, retinal haemorrhaging to the eyes, spinal injuries,” Detective McEachern said. The toddler needed to be intubated at the hospital, with a “long road to recovery ahead of him”. “The three-year-old boy spent two weeks in hospital in relation with his injuries, and he’s got a long road to recovery ahead of him,” Detective McEachern said. “Within those two weeks the little boy was intubated, such as the extent of his injuries.” An 18-year-old woman, who the police say was babysitting the three-year-old and his 18-month-old brother, was arrested early on September 20 and has been remanded in custody since. The 18-month-old was also found with a bite mark to the face, which is still under investigation. The police have charged the woman, who was known to the family, with aggravated cause serious harm with intent and criminal neglect. She is set to front the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on January 21 next year. Detective McEachern said a number of injuries identified are believed to have occurred prior to September 19. An investigation into further allegations of criminal neglect and assaults against the boy remain ongoing, with police believing the three-year-old was also assaulted by others before the alleged incidents on September 19. No charges have been laid in respect of the further allegations. “We’re looking at family members, we’re looking at anyone that may have gone to the house in the days leading up to the 19th of September,” Detective McEachern said. “But it’s clearly someone that knows the child well.” Both the toddler and his younger sibling are now under the care of the Department for Child Protection. “The children have been removed from the family environment, and have been under care of Department of Child Protection — so they’re safe, and they have been since 20th,” Detective McEachern said. Police were alerted to the injuries by a member of the public, with Detective McEachern urging anyone with information to come forward, particularly those who may have visited the home in the days leading up to September 19. news.com.au mental health helplines