Emma Jade Short, Rodney David Clough charged with criminal neglect

When doctors treated this little two-year-old boy he was horrifically burned, bruised and had meth in his system. His mother and uncle have been charged with criminal neglect.

The mother and uncle of a two-year-old boy brought into a Blair Athol doctor’s surgery unconscious with serious burns, bruises and traces of meth in his urine have been charged with criminal neglect.

Emma Jade Short, 34, faced the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday from custody while applying for home-detention bail.

Rodney David Clough, 40, faced the same charge at the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, but did not apply for bail.

The Elizabeth court heard a forensic paediatrician said the burns were consistent with the toddler being submerged in boiling water.

Police opposed bail citing Ms Short being a “flight risk” based on allegations Mr Clough had booked a bus ticket to NSW in an attempt to “flee” the state, and that Ms Short had spoken about booking a ticket for her as well.

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

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

Ms Short took the boy, Jimmy*, into the Blair Athol doctor’s surgery on August 8 wrapped in a blanket before the doctor noticed serious burns on his face and body.

Police alleged the boy suffered the burns while staying at the nearby Comfort Inn Manhattan, on Main North Rd, with his mum and Mr Clough.

A police prosecutor told the court police attended the doctor’s surgery, where Ms Short told them her son had accidentally turned on the hot tap and she had “noticed steam rising” before turning the tap to cold and taking him to the doctor.

The court heard the forensic pediatrician’s examination of the boy concluded Ms Short’s story was “not adequately explained”.

Jimmy (not his real name) is alleged to have suffered criminal neglect.

When formally interviewed by police, Ms Short, of Freeling, said she had gone out before returning to the Comfort Inn to find Mr Clough “panicked” and her son lying on a bed.

The court heard Mr Clough was both Ms Short’s partner and the toddler’s uncle.

The paediatrician also noted bruises on the boy’s neck consistent with him being grabbed by the scruff of the shirt.

The prosecutor said further tests on the boy allegedly showed there was methamphetamine detected in his urine.

He said investigations were ongoing into whether he had suffered brain injuries “due to a lack of oxygen as a result of being submerged in water”.

The Blair Athol Manhattan Comfort Inn where it is alleged the criminal neglect of the two-year-old boy occurred. Picture: Brinley Duggan

The Blair Athol Medical Clinic where it is alleged Emma Jade Short took baby Jimmy. A doctor allegedly found he had serious burns to his face and body. Picture: Brinley Duggan

Vageli Dimou, duty solicitor for Ms Short, told the court the allegations against his client were “strenuously contested”.

Mr Dimou said Ms Short’s second account of how her son got his injuries, allegedly at the hands of Mr Clough, was “truthful”.

“She says she was confused at the situation and upset, and she was, in essence, protecting herself due to the nature of whatever this relationship is with the co-accused,” he said.

“When she is interviewed on the second occasion with police, she says she gives her truthful account of what occurred and that she was not aware of what happened to the child.

“If she had been aware she would not have left him in the care of (Mr Clough).

“She wants to know what has happened to her child – what appears to have happened repeatedly to her child – causing these injuries.”

Magistrate Justin Wickens ordered a home-detention report for Ms Short, who would learn the outcome later in this month.

Mr Clough was remanded in custody to appear in court again in December.

Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard said she was aware of the incident, but could not comment broadly.

She expressed her sympathy at the situation.

“My heart and mind are with this young child and their siblings,” she said.

“As the matter is now before the courts I cannot comment further on it.”

SA Health was contacted about Jimmy’s current condition, but was unable to provide a condition update.

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