The mother and ouma of a Kleinvlei toddler, who went missing last week, will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court this morning on charges of child neglect and abandonment.
One-year-old Orderick Lucas was last seen by his family on Sunday, 24 March, but was only reported missing four days later.
Sunday, police and members of the Blue Downs community continued searching for him.
His 28-year-old mother, who is allegedly a drug addict, reported him missing at Kleinvlei Police Station at 11 am on Thursday.
According to a police source, Orderick and his seven-year-old twin siblings were removed from their mother’s care because of neglect and abuse.
FRANTIC SEARCH: Orderick Lucas. Photo: SUPPLIED
They were placed in the care of their ouma, 50, who was arrested for contravening the court order that forbade her daughter to access to the children.
According to the source, Orderick previously had a broken arm, was burnt with a tik lolly and had bite marks on his body.
“His arm was allegedly broken when his mother passed out with him tied to her back while she was doing tik,” says the source.
The mother was apparently moered by people she knew last week Sunday after she allegedly stole a cellphone.
She then apparently left the little boy with a male friend.
On Monday morning, she went to the hospital to get treated for the assault.
It is alleged that when she went to get her son, the male friend told her he had already handed the child back to her.
It is not clear why she only went to report her son missing on Thursday.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, says the search for Orderick continues.
“He was last seen wearing a white vest, grey jacket and red pants. Several homes were visited and searched by SAPS members as well as the Dog Unit deployed without any success in finding the child,” Van Wyk said on Sunday.
“Enquiries were also done at hospitals, all relevant role players were informed and the search continues.”
He confirms the boy’s mother and ouma have been arrested.
“Two women, 28 and 50, were arrested on Saturday on charges of child neglect and child abandonment. They are due to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court (Monday).”
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.