Cape Town - Bishop Lavis parents Ricardo and Sylvia Mitchell are devastated following the murder of their 5-year-old son Xavier, who was stabbed multiple times, allegedly by his nanny’s brother.
Xavier was at his nanny’s Sky Road house, a few doors from his Bishop Lavis home yesterday morning, when he was killed just before 11am.
The suspect, who is in his forties, reportedly had a psychotic episode.
The 5-year-old was stabbed three times with a knife in the back, and witnesses said there was something hanging from the boy’s head.
A neighbour who transported Xavier to hospital, Henry Abrahams, said: “When I came home I was asked by a neighbour to take the boy to the hospital. At the time the nanny had him in her hands. I asked her to bring a blanket and cover him. At the time he was not talking. I dropped them and about 30 minutes later I was informed that the boy passed away.”
Xavier’s parents, Ricardo and Sylvia, were at work when they left their son in the care of their neighbour, who is Xavier’s nanny.
“Someone called me crying, telling me that my son was full of blood and that he was at the day hospital.
“I went straight to the hospital and he was in trauma and the doctor told me that there was nothing they could do,” Ricardo said. “I called my wife but I didn’t tell her what happened to Xavier.”
Sylvia said she had to take several taxis from town to get to Bishop Lavis.
“When I got to the hospital he was just laying there. I thought he was going to wake up.
“In my mind I thought he was sick because they said blood was coming out, I didn’t think he was stabbed. I couldn’t believe it when I was told he was dead,” said Sylvia.
After the stabbing, the suspect ran away, but the community apprehended him and then called the police. The nanny had been taking care of Xavier and his little brother for eight months.
“I trust her with my children, she is very good with them. And my children love her, she has a knack with children,” Sylvia said.
“We have not yet spoken to her about the incident. We know that she is also traumatised because she was with Xavier for five days a week.”
She described her son as a happy child. “He loved eating dry bread and drinking water. He was always running and kicking things, so I called him Messi,” said Sylvia.
Ricardo said his last beautiful memory was when they spent Father’s Day together.
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said: “Bishop Lavis police are investigating a murder case following a stabbing incident (yesterday) at about 10.40am at premises in Sky Road, Bishop Lavis, where a 5-year-old boy sustained a fatal stab wound.
“The members immediately followed up information that led them to a local hospital. They were shown the body with three stab wounds to the back. He was declared deceased at the hospital due to injuries sustained.
“A male in his forties, who is believed to be mentally challenged, was arrested by the police and taken to Bishop Lavis SAPS for detention. The investigation continues.”
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za