Mother Slits Son's Stomach In Custody Fight
Pini Bothoko | Monday September 2, 2019 14:29
The Friday night incident left the boy with his intestines protruding from the belly.
Police said the 26-year-old mother had a fight with the boy’s father over the child’s custody. During the argument, the mother grabbed a knife and ripped open her son’s stomach.
The mother, who is believed to be residing outside Gaborone, had visited his son who stays with his father at Tsolamosese.
Confirming the incident, Mogoditshane police station commander, superintendent Russ Letsebe said the mother is likely to appear before Broadhurst Magistrate’s Court today to face a single count of causing bodily harm.
Letsebe said the boy’s mother was arrested the same day and is in police custody where she is helping with investigations.
“This is a shocking incident as the boy’s intestines were nearly ripped off. However, we are hopeful that the boy will recover despite currently fighting for his life in ICU at Princess Marina Hospital,” said Letsebe.
Letsebe revealed that preliminary investigations have established that the mother wanted to take back the child from the father, something that caused the fight.
Letsebe pleaded with parents, especially those who are no longer together, to consider involving elders to help address their children’s custody matters to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
He said conflicts over children are some of the issues that usually lead to other offences like assaults. Letsebe said his office is worried that parents usually fail to address issues that affect their children, in an amicable manner.
“In some instances we discovered that some fights are fuelled by jealousy, especially if one of the parents has moved on from the relationship,” revealed Letsebe.