Elisha Molefe
Elisha Molefe
A couple charged with starving their 13-month-old son to death were granted bail yesterday.
Julia van Rooyen, 36, and Joseph de Jesus, 42, of Jouberton near Klerksdorp in North West, appeared in the Klerksdorp magistrates' court on a charge of murder after they allegedly starved their child Ronaldo to death.
Provincial police spokesman Superintendent Louis Jacobs said social workers in Jouberton were informed about an infant who was allegedly being neglected by his parents.
On Thursdaysocial workers tracked down the mother.
They allegedly found her drinking beer at a tavern in Jouberton.
The child was found naked and underfed.
The social workers took him to a doctor who confirmed that the baby had a severe case of malnutrition.
He was taken to a place of safety, where he died on Good Friday.
The parents were arrested on the same day.
They were granted bail of R800 yesterday, and will appear in court again on May 30.