While police are still searching for missing one-year-old Orderick Lucas, his mother and ouma are off the hook on charges of negligence and abandonment.
The child had been missing since Sunday, 24 March, but his mother only reported it to police four days later.
Mom, Davideen Lucas, 28, told officers at Kleinvlei SAPS she had left her son with a friend as she had to go to the hospital on Monday, but the male friend claimed he had given the boy back to her.
On Saturday, 30 March, cops arrested Davideen and her own mother, Cornelia Scheepers, 50, on charges of contravention of a court order, child abandonment and child neglect.
However, the charges against them were provisionally withdrawn in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court.
MOM: Davideen Lucas, 28. Photo: SUPPLIED
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Eric Ntabazalila, says the matter was not placed on the court roll.
“The case against the two women was not placed on the roll on as there is some outstanding information which we need,” he says.
“We have returned the docket to the police for them to attend to it. We will consider placing the matter on the roll when the docket has been returned.”
Meanwhile, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut, says the search for Orderick continues.
According to a court order, Davideen is not allowed near her children, Orderick and her five-year-old twins, after social workers noticed signs of abuse.
It is alleged Orderick’s arm was broken after his mother fell with him on her back while she was high on drugs.
The child was also burned with a tik lolly and bite marks were found on his tiny body.
He spent two months in hospital.
At court, family members said the only reason Davideen was not chased away from her mom’s on the weekend Orderick disappeared was because it was Cornelia’s 50th birthday and they’d had a party.
If you know where Orderick is or have information about his disappearance, please call Detective Sergeant Beja on 082 522 1047/082 334 8416 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.