Debunking post stating beaten toddler found and taken to Newcastle SAPS

A heart-wrenching image of a young boy believed to be around two years old, is currently circulating on social media, tugging at the heartstrings of Newcastle residents. The distressing photo shows the toddler with a bloody and bruised face, prompting concern and empathy from those who see it.

Accompanying the image was text claiming the toddler was found in Newcastle and is now safe at the local police station.

However, there have been no leads on his identity or where he lived, as no one has come forward to claim him.

Although initially there was a significant response from the community, with many sharing the post across various social media platforms in an attempt to find the child’s family, law enforcement has since verified that the post was a hoax.

Brigadier Vassie Naidoo, Commander of Newcastle SAPS station, clarified that no child matching the description had been brought to the police station, nor were there any reports of a missing child fitting the toddler’s description.

The question remains: where did this child come from?

A search on Facebook shows that images of the same child, alongside the exact same accompanying text, have been shared in social media groups in the Bluff, and several towns in the United States of America. On each post, the name of the town or city has been changed.

With the post being confirmed as a hoax, Brigadier Naidoo urged residents to be cautious of sharing posts from social media groups. “Sharing posts such as this can cause undue panic and anxiety,” he noted.

Additionally, the Chairperson for the Newcastle Community Policing Forum, Ismaeel Dhalech, explained that posts such as these were unfortunately not rare, and it was for this reason residents needed to be cautious. “One first needs to check any post’s authenticity before sharing and forwarding it, as it can create a lot of panic within the community,” he said.

As law enforcement confirms the post as fake news, the incident underscores the importance of vigilance and critical thinking when consuming information online. What are your thoughts on this incident? Share your views in the comment section below.