Cape Town - A young mother who allegedly stabbed her two-year-old son with a knife has been sent for a medical assessment to gauge her mental state.
Julia Aaron went on the run after her son, Anele, was stabbed three times in the neck on Sunday, February 5 while he was sleeping.
The toddler survived the attack and is still in hospital.
The 27-year-old mother was nabbed by police in De Doorns the day after the stabbing, after a friend informed the family of her whereabouts.
Aaron made her first appearance in the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where she was referred to a district surgeon for an assessment, said National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila.
The Makhaza mother is facing a charge of attempted murder.
Prosecutors are set to prove that after coming home from church, Aaron went into her bedroom and stabbed her son in the neck.
She was allegedly caught red-handed by her uncle, and fled the scene.
Relatives claim Aaron is a tik addict who recently gave up drugs.
Her aunt, Elizabeth Makendlana, said they were happy to hear she was finally getting help.
“I am happy she is going to the doctors so we can find out if she is alright or not.
“For years she has struggled with problems after being addicted to drugs.
“We are just waiting for the results to come before we say anything else. It is currently in God’s hands and we as a family are praying that there is nothing wrong with her.”
Anele, was stabbed three times in the neck. The toddler survived the attack and is still in hospital.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has welcomed Aaron’s arrest.
Social workers from the department were working with doctors to look into the care of Anele, said DSD spokesperson, Sihle Ngobese.
“The DSD will also look to assess the suspect to ascertain if there had been any psycho-social factors that led to this incident, and to render any required counselling,” said Ngobese.
The public can report any cases of child abuse to the DSD hotline on 0800 220 250.