Little Jimmy leaves hospital amid criminal neglect case

A brave little boy at the centre of a neglect case has left hospital as online posts reveal his charged uncle has been in a dispute with the child’s father.

A two-year-old boy found with severe burns and meth in his urine has been released from hospital – 10 days after he was treated for his horrific injuries.

Doctors on Thursday determined the brave toddler was well enough to leave hospital.

According to sources, Jimmy*, who was allegedly ill-treated by his mother and uncle, was “doing well”.

His mother, Emma Jade Short, and uncle Rodney David Clough appeared in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday charged with criminal neglect.

The court heard Jimmy was taken to a Blair Athol medical centre before doctors noticed that he had severe burns to his face and body, consistent with him being scalded by boiling water.

Rodney David Clough and ‘Little Jimmy’. Pictures: Facebook/Supplied

He was initially treated in the Intensive Care Unit before he was transferred to a general ward.

SA Health, SA Police and the Child Protection Department remained tight lipped about Little Jimmy’s condition.

A series of online posts has shed light on the fractured relationship between Rodney Clough and his brother – who is Jimmy’s father.

Mr Clough detailed a long-running family dispute between him and his brother.

In the post Mr Clough said his mother had kicked him out of his home because of the dispute.

“My mum won’t let me live where I was because my younger brother has a problem with me,” he wrote. “Maybe let your sons sort their s*** out themselves.”

Little Jimmy was allegedly taken to hospital with burns and bruises to his body. Pictures: Supplied

Little Jimmy allegedly had traces of meth in his urine. Pictures: Supplied

Dennise Shepherd, who had looked after her two-year-old grandson earlier this year before he was returned to his mum, said she was shocked beyond belief when she found out about Jimmy.

The outcome of Ms Short’s bail application should be known on Friday.

Her counsel told the court on Monday that the charge was “strenuously denied”. Mr Clough did not apply for bail.

Ms Shepherd on Wednesday told The Advertiser: “I just cried my eyes out (when he left).”

Ms Shepherd has also made online posts about her son Rodney Clough repeatedly threatening her.

The Advertiser does not suggest the dispute played any role in the criminal neglect charge.

*The Advertiser has chosen to refer to the alleged victim with a pseudonym