When Annemarie Theron noticed bruises on her nine-month-old daughter, Laila, she was horrified – but also baffled as to how they got there.
The poor tot had them all over her neck and shoulders, and under her feet.
Eventually, the young mum began to suspect her nanny might be involved. So she set up a secret video camera in the hope of finding evidence.
And when she watched the footage back later, she was shocked by what she saw.
The horrifying clip showed the nanny handling the tot like a rag doll, and THROWING her into her cot like a sack of cement.
And now the devastated mum has spoken about her heartbreak at seeing her daughter’s mistreatment.
She told Netwerk24: “I decided to install cameras, so that I could see what was happening when I’m not at home.
“It was very emotional watching it. I refused to sleep, eat or drink for a couple of days afterwards.
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“It’s difficult to imagine how long this has been going on for. I can see Laila is so, so broken after everything.”
She and her husband Johan went straight to police and the nanny was arrested.
Recalled Annemarie: “The police were initially hesitant about the charges but wanted to arrest the woman immediately after seeing the footage.”
The unnamed nanny was denied bail and remanded in custody until October.
She faces charges of child abuse, assault and attempted murder.
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In the meantime, Annemarie and her husband Johan are trying to make amends with their daughter.
The couple posted a touching message to the girl on Facebook that read: “We love you so endlessly and we are SO SO sorry for what you have been through!!”