Heartbroken Dennise Shepherd has slammed the DCP for withholding her grandson’s condition after alleged criminal neglect

Dennise Shepherd had looked after her two-year-old grandson earlier this year before he was returned to his mum. This week she got the news she had dreaded.

The grandmother of a two-year-old boy – who is at the centre of a serious criminal neglect investigation – says the state’s child protection service is “unaccountable”.

Wiping back tears on Wednesday, Smithfield Plains woman Dennise Shepherd said her heart sank on Tuesday when she saw The Advertiser’s story about her grandson Jimmy*.

Jimmy* was taken to hospital after his mother, Emma Jade Short, who is charged with criminal neglect, took him to a Blair Athol medical centre where he was allegedly found with severe burns to his face and body, bruises and with meth in his urine.

Ms Shepherd said she was shocked to see the reports after having previously looked after the boy earlier in the year.

That was until the boy recently began living again with Short.

“I just cried my eyes out (when he left),” she said.

In a cruel twist, Ms Shepherd’s eldest son, Rodney Clough, the uncle of Jimmy, had also been charged in relation to the incident.

Dennise Shepherd, the grandma of the little boy who's mum has been charged with criminal neglect, is desperate to know how her little grandson is. Picture: Dean Martin

Two-year-old alleged victim Jimmy*. Picture: Facebook

She said since she found out about Jimmy’s alleged injuries, the Child Protection Department (DCP) have provided no further information because of her family connections.

“I immediately tried to call the hospital and was told that there was no one in there by his name,” she said.

“But that’s what DCP does.

“I’m making a phone call for goodness sakes, I’m not hurting anyone, I’m just trying to find out how my grandson is.”

She said the last time she saw Jimmy was on August 6, just two days before he was presented to hospital.

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

“Now I’ve been blocked and I’ve done nothing wrong,” she said.

“They’re never accountable, under any circumstances. The police are toothless tigers against the DCP as well, they pretty much just backup or support whatever the DCP needs to stop family members having contact with the kids.”

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

SA Police, SA Health and the Child Protection Department have remained tight lipped over the boy’s condition.

When asked, spokespeople for all three said they were unable to comment whether he was still in hospital or about what level of care he was receiving, citing reasons including an ongoing police investigation and legislative limitations.

A Child Protection Department spokeswoman said support for Jimmy* was ongoing.

“The (department) is working closely with SA Police and SA Health to ensure the safety of the child and support him,” she said.

“The department is unable to comment on individual matters.

“Under the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017, case-related information must be kept confidential.”

Similarly, an SA Health spokeswoman said they were unable to provide a condition update for the boy.

Mr Clough and Ms Short were remanded in custody on the allegations of criminal neglect. The Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday heard the boy was inspected by a forensic paediatrician who concluded his burns were consistent with being submerged in boiling water.

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