The family of slain baby Caswell Frans has called for the social worker who placed him in the care of the foster mother to be charged with his murder.
This emerged at the Muizenberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday as foster mom Priscilla Morris, 40, made her first appearance for bashing the child to death and burying him in a shallow grave.
The body of the nine-month-old baby was discovered on a field in Vrygrond on Monday after Priscilla’s sister piemped her to police, saying she killed the child.
Oupa Caswell Frans, 52, says if the Department of Social Development (DSD) had taken action when they were informed that the child was being abused, he may have still be alive today.
“When my daughter gave birth, she lived with me.
“She was using drugs and I approached the social workers in Fish Hoek for help,” he explains.
“I am a single father and was already looking after one of her children.
“As I have to work, there was nobody to care for the baby so when they decided the child must be placed in foster care, I agreed because I believed that was the best thing for the child.”
He says over the last six months, the family had continually reported the abuse to the social workers, who they claim failed to take action.
“We were told she beats him all the time, he fell into an open fire and had a burn mark on his face, she choked him and even told him she is going to make him vrek,” the oupa alleges.
“We were told on the day he was killed, she picked him up by his legs and bashed his head on the ground.
“Every time we went to the social worker, they kept telling us that everything was fine and that it was just rumours.
“My daughter even went to speak to him and he said he saw the clinic card and everything, but we are demanding answers and we believe they are the reason our child is dead.
“The social worker should be charged along with Priscilla because he helped kill him [the baby].”
ANSWERS: Oupa Caswell, 52. Video: Monique Duval
Social development spokesperson, Esther Lewis, says they are conducting an internal investigation into the baby’s death.
“The Department of Social Development is deeply concerned about the death of this baby and views this death in a very serious light.
“We are conducting an internal investigation to establish the facts.
“Child Protection is one of the Department of Social Development’s most important mandates guided by the Children’s Act to ensure all children’s rights are protected.
“The department is also cooperating with the SAPS investigation, and will be providing the necessary support to the family during this difficult time.”
At court, it was revealed that Priscilla wanted to apply for bail but as no Legal Aid lawyers were available, the case was postponed to today.