In 2014, the child dubbed as Baby X was found starved, tortured, and sexually assaulted by her mother Patricia Kershnee Ishwarlal and late grandmother Salatchie Basanich, at their Havenside home.
Four years after the child was found dead and tied to a bed, Ishwarlal received a 20-year sentence in prison for the abuse and murder of her daughter. In September, she was found guilty of three counts of murder, abuse and the inability to provide medical assistance. Basanich, who was the mother’s accomplice, had also been standing trial prior her death in prison in April of this year.
The three-year-old passed away on 14 November 2014 from grievous bodily harm and blunt force trauma to the head.
In handing down the sentence, Judge Mohini Moodley said she was of the view that there was an element of diminished responsibility in this case due to an intellectual disability resulting from a prior car crash.
She viewed this as compelling circumstance when handing down judgement. However, Moodley said the woman lacked remorse and tried to pin the murder solely on her mother.
Warrant officer Collin Chetty of Bayview SAPS said, “Station commander Lieutenant Colonel Balram, commends the Bayview investigation team, especially Warrant officer Kevin Nair.We also would like to thank the supporting structures, who ensured that the main victims were taken care of,” said Chetty The Chatsworth community was left devastated after the detailed information of the incident surfaced four-years ago.
“I’m thrilled that she has finally been put behind bars, it’s what she deserves” said Derwyn Govender from Woodhurst.
“Justice, justice has been served for this little girl” could be heard being chanted by community members outside the courtroom. Community activist, Brandon Pillay said, “The Bayview Community Policing Forum welcomes the sentencing of the mother of Baby X. Baby X was robbed of her right to life and suffered abuse and eventually death at the hands of those who were entrusted to care and protect her.”
Pillay further went on to say, “We remember the innocent life of this baby especially in this month of November when her life was so prematurely taken away from her, and send a strong message to our children that we will do everything in our power to protect them”.
