By: Natasha Archary
Police have arrested a Johannesburg father for child negligence after his 3-year daughter fell to her death on Monday, 29 August.
The 37-year old man allegedly left his 3-year old daughter inside their 12th floor flat and went to work.
According to police the father said the child was asleep when he left her inside the flat. The toddler unfortunately fell out of a window and was certified dead by paramedics.
The incident took place in Johannesburg at the Philadelphia Flat Building, on the corner of Jeppe and Von Weiligh Streets.
Police say the father usually leaves his daughter with flatmates when he goes to work but that night the flatmates were not home.
“The father thought his daughter would be fine because she was asleep when he was leaving. Parents are advised to not leave their children alone, and this 3-year old’s death could have been avoided if her father left her with someone else.”
SAPS spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele confirmed the father’s arrest
Mbele said there were no witnesses who saw the child falling and one of the neighbours called the father after the child had fallen.
SAPS say an investigation is underway but the father will appear in court to face charges of child negligence.



