Emma Jade Short, mother of allegedly neglected boy Jimmy, to be bailed after prosecutors drop move to block her release

The mother of little Jimmy – who was allegedly neglected, burned and bruised – has been released from custody after prosecutors abandoned a challenge to her bail. See the pictures.

A mother charged with criminal neglect over horrific burns and bruising suffered by her two-year-old son has been released from custody after prosecutors abandoned their challenge to her bail.

On Friday, Emma Jade Short was granted strict bail by the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court over injuries sustained by her son, known as Jimmy*.

Her release was postponed, however, pending a Supreme Court challenge by prosecutors – one that, by law, had to be heard within 72 hours of the original decision.

But on Monday morning, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions formally withdrew its opposition to Ms Short’s release.

The Advertiser understands Ms Short was released from custody shortly after the opposition was dropped.

Emma Jade Short arrives at her bail address in Freeling, SA. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Short is charged with criminal neglect of her son *Jimmy. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Ms Short, 34, and Rodney David Clough, 40, have yet to plead to one count each of criminal neglect.

They were arrested and charged after Ms Short took Jimmy, wrapped in a blanket, into a Blair Athol doctor’s surgery on August 8.

Prosecutors have alleged doctors at the surgery noticed serious burns on Jimmy’s face and body. They have further alleged a forensic paediatrician determined the burns were consistent with the toddler having been submerged in boiling water.

Jimmy, they alleged, had traces of methylamphetamine in his urine, while the bruises on his neck were consistent with him having been grabbed by the scruff of his shirt.

Investigations were ongoing, they said, as to any brain injuries sustained “due to a lack of oxygen as a result of being submerged in water”.

Ms Short, prosecutors alleged, told doctors her son had accidentally turned on the hot tap while they were staying in the Comfort Inn Manhattan, on Main North Rd.

A court previously heard Ms Short later told police she had gone out before returning to the hotel to find Mr Clough “panicked” and her son lying on a bed.

Emma Short is yet to plead to one count of criminal neglect. Picture: Facebook

Prosecutors had opposed bail for Ms Short saying she was a flight risk, alleging both she and Mr Clough had attempted to book bus tickets to flee to NSW.

They warned she was at risk of attempting to track down her children if bailed.

David Moen, for Ms Short, told the court those concerns were unfounded.

He said his client would contest the charge and take the matter to trial.

“We have a small window of about three minutes (in which the offence occurred),” he said.

“There is no way she could have gone up to the room, boiled a kettle or turned on the shower and subject him to such injuries in that small amount of time.”

If convicted, Ms Short and Mr Clough face maximum prison terms of 15 years.

The couple will next face court in December.

*Not his real name