Police investigating alleged ‘ill-treatment’ of toddler

Police are investigating the alleged ill-treatment of a child, committed against a one-year-old female of Lot 218, Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden.

The incident occurred at approximately 22:26 hrs on 22nd March 2025 at the aforementioned address and involved suspect Kester Johnson.

Enquiries disclosed that the child’s mother, Sawdia Bobb, an unemployed woman residing at Lot 218, Blueberry Hill, Wismar, has been in a relationship with Kester for ten years. They have three children together, aged three, two, and one.

During the second week of February 2025, the first instance of physical violence occurred when Kester allegedly slapped Sawdia during an argument over a ‘voice note’. This led her to leave the home and stay with a friend for several days.

On 22nd March, Sawdia became involved in a physical altercation with Kester at their home. She then went to the Wismar Police Station and reported that Kester had abused and assaulted her. However, she did not provide a written statement, stating she would return but never did.

On Tuesday, at approximately 15:25 hrs, after receiving information, ranks from the Wismar Police Station contacted Sawdia and interviewed her regarding a video showing her child being ill-treated (the toddler seen hanging from a bedsheet).

Sawdia claimed she had the video on her phone but deleted it because she did not want anyone to know about it due to her daughter’s age. She was asked to retrieve the video from her ‘trash’, which she did, subsequently showing the police footage of her child hanging from a sheet.

An investigation was launched, revealing that Kester had recorded the video and sent it to Sawdia’s phone.

The suspect was arrested, and both Sawdia’s and her mother’s phones were lodged for the extraction of the video. Further investigations are ongoing.

A charge of assault has been prepared against Kester Johnson for court presentation tomorrow. Additionally, a case file is being prepared for child abuse.

It should be noted that the toddler in question was medically examined, and no visible marks of violence were found. The child is alive and well. Investigations continue.