Johannesburg - This past weekend marked a year since the death of 4-year-old Taegrin Morris.
The boy was killed on July 19, 2014 after being dragged to death in a hijacked car in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni. His mother had tried to pull him out of the back seat of the car but he got caught in the seatbelt. Taegrin was dragged for about 4.5km until the car was abandoned in Boksburg.
Charges against the only man who was arrested in connection to the murder were withdrawn.
His father, Elwin Morris, said the family were coping under the circumstances.
“It’s been tough. Especially this weekend with everything replaying in our minds and people coming over to show support,” he said.
Morris said that since Taegrin had been buried, his wife, Chantel, and daughter, Erin, visited his graveside every Sunday.
“More than anything, this whole thing gave us a chance to get to know ourselves together as a family and to stay strong.”
After the death, Chantel stopped working full-time and the family had counselling. Now that their sessions are over, the family and their psychologist are happy with their progress.
“We keep busy, it has been up and down, but we have been trying,” he said, adding that he was keeping in touch with the police but found that if he didn’t make the necessary calls, the police would often not contact him.
“I am still trying to get information from the police, but there has been no luck as yet. I don’t want to rush them. I just want justice to be served so we will give them a chance to do what they have to do,” he said.
According to the police, the case is under investigation and they have not made any arrests.
The Star