Dennise Shepherd will fight to care for grandson Jimmy, alleged victim of criminal neglect

With her own estranged son facing criminal neglect charges, the grandmother of Jimmy* says she will fight to care for the toddler at her home.

The grandmother of the little boy who spent 10 days in hospital with horrific injuries acquired through alleged criminal neglect has vowed she will fight to care for him.

Dennise Shepherd, 61, told The Messenger her grandchildren were her reason for living, and she was fearful for Jimmy’s safety.

“My grandchildren are all I live for and my love for them is immeasurable,” she said.

“I feel useless and worried every minute that he is (not with me).

“I am a fighter and I will not stop at anything until (he is) safe.”

Dennise Shepherd, the grandmother of the little boy whose mum and uncle have been charged with criminal neglect. Picture Dean Martin

Little Jimmy was allegedly found with severe burns and bruises to his body. Pictures: Supplied

Little Jimmy was allegedly found with meth in his urine. Pictures: Supplied

Ms Shepherd said she would be making an application to look after Jimmy as soon as she could.

Emma Jade Short and her partner and Jimmy’s uncle, Rodney David Clough, have been charged with the criminal neglect of Jimmy.

No pleas have been entered to the charges.

Ms Shepherd, who is also Mr Clough’s estranged mother, on Wednesday told The Advertiser she had been stonewalled by the Child Protection Department as she sought information on the welfare and care of her grandson.

She said she had been blocked from contacting Jimmy by the department because of her son’s alleged involvement, despite doing nothing wrong herself.

The Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday heard Jimmy would be cared for by a family member of Ms Short.

Ms Short, through her defence counsel, has “strenuously denied” the allegations against her.

Rodney David Clough, who has been charged with the criminal neglect of his nephew. Picture: Facebook

Emma Short, who has been charged with criminal neglect of her two-year-old son, Jimmy*. Picture: Facebook

The Blair Athol Medical Clinic where it is alleged Emma Jade Short took her child where he was found with serious burns to his face and body. Picture: Brinley Duggan

The court heard her “truthful account”, told to police, was that she gone out before returning to the Blair Athol Comfort Inn Manhattan, where she, Mr Clough and Jimmy were staying, to find Mr Clough “panicked”.

Jimmy, the court heard, was lying on a bed. He was then taken to a nearby medical centre and then conveyed by ambulance to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital where he spent time in the Intensive Care Unit.

A forensic examination of Jimmy allegedly found traces of meth in his urine and bruises on his forehead, neck, back and genitalia.

The court heard the bruising on his genitalia was consistent with being pinched and twisted, while the bruising on his back was concluded to be days old.

The bruising to his neck, the court heard, was consistent with allegedly being held by the scruff of the neck.

Ms Short wailed in court, where she was appearing by video link from prison, while the allegations against her were read out by a police prosecutor, and moments before had told Magistrate Justin Wickens “I just want to get out of here”.

Mr Clough did not apply for bail in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday and is expected to appear in court again in December.

*The Messenger has chosen to use a pseudonym for the alleged victim.