Baby M takes steps to recovery
2003-10-16 08:45
Cape Town - Nine-month-old Baby M, who was raped in Kuils River at the weekend, has taken her first steps in hospital after her nightmare experience.
Doctors at Tygerberg Hospital say she is doing well physically, but she is being treated with antiretroviral drugs as a preventive measure against contracting Aids.
Dr Kurt Maart of Tygerberg Children's Hospital says it's not yet clear when Baby M will be discharged.
He didn't want to elaborate about the extent of the baby's injuries, because "the mother gave just limited approval".
Western Cape Premier Marthinus van Schalkwyk visited the hospital on Wednesday, but wasn't allowed to see Baby M because it was feared more visitors might traumatise her further.
Holds on to mom's fingers
Baby M is being cared for by social workers who are investigating her home situation and the competency of her parents to look after her properly.
Social worker Allan Jeftha says Baby M is making progress.
"Her mother told us the baby took her first steps here in hospital."
Jeftha said Baby M's mother visited regularly and the baby stood up by holding on to her mother's fingers on Wednesday.
He said the investigation is continuing, but a decision hasn't been taken on whether the mother would be charged.
Manette de Jager, head of social services at the children's hospital, said about 50 child molestation cases were reported monthly.
"About 20 of these are usually sexual-assault cases", she said.