Jeremiah Ruiters, the 18-month-old from Factreton was tortured for weeks before he died, a forensic pathology report into his death revealed.
His mother’s boyfriend, Ameerudien Peters, is on trial for his rape and murder while his mother, Abigail Ruiters, is on trial for child neglect.
According to the report Jeremiah, sustained spinal and head injuries and cuts caused by blunt force trauma over a period of time.
Pathologist, Dr Marna du Plessis, indicated that Jeremiah had healing wounds from two or more weeks before his death and more recent wounds that could have been sustained 24 to 72 hours prior to his death.
Jeremiah was murdered in Factreton in 2017. It is alleged that he was raped, beaten and stabbed by Peters.
Du Plessis, in post-mortem findings, cited multiple extensive injuries in different phases of healing. He had multiple fractures also in different phases of healing.
Du Plessis first told the court of the poor nutrition she had observed. “At six months, he was far below the expected weight group, he gained a bit at 15 months but still not where he was expected to be. He had poor growth,” she said.
She also noted that on post-mortem examination the child was not clean. “The child is notably dirty on the skin, hair and nails,” said Du Plessis.
Du Plessis said Jeremiah had a 7.5cm scar going down from the forehead to his nose. On the forehead were two scabs and the nose area had a cluster of wounds surrounding the right nostril.
Jeremiah’s hands had scars and were swollen and so were his legs. His genitalia also had scarring and wounds.
“The wounds are in keeping with forceful penetration with a blunt object,” she said.
Du Plessis also indicated that Jeremiah had sustained a fracture in his spine.
“The wounds are diffuse and in areas that injuries from daily activity and resuscitation would not be expected. Some fresh haemorrhages also occurred in areas that are deeply situated within the body and generally protected, namely the spinal cord, adrenal gland and bladder,” she submitted.
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Mom was pregnant and gave birth in prison
On Tuesday, Ruiters’ father, Pastor Ronald Ruiters, told the Daily Voice the family was fighting to get his daughter out of prison for the birth.
“She is not well and is in the hospital section at Pollsmoor. I cannot say much about the process (to get her out) as we are trying other avenues, hoping she won’t be giving birth behind bars.”
The pastor says his daughter will have to decide whether to keep the baby in jail or let her relatives take care of it.
“We have accepted this baby. As far as I know, this will be Ameer’s first baby. Abigail as the mother has to make a decision on what she wants, if this baby will be born behind bars."
“The most important thing is that this baby will need the mother, that is critical especially for breast milk and the bond between mother and child,” he says.
Ruiters says he has already forgiven Peters for allegedly raping and killing his youngest grandchild.
“I am not cross at Ameer, I am giving him peace, it is between him and God,” the holy man says. “I think as a Christian, I need to forgive him and set him free.”
Slain Jeremiah's mom to give birth in prison
The mother of raped and murdered toddler Jeremiah Ruiters is expected to give birth behind bar in three weeks.
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