It was just three days after 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek lovingly handed his mother a handmade Mother’s Day card.
In it, he thanked her for always putting him first and promised to try making her breakfast in bed.
That touching gesture would soon become a haunting memory.
By 14 July, Jayden’s mother, Tiffany Nicole Meek, was standing in Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court — not as a grieving mom, but as a murder suspect.
The boy’s lifeless body had been found on the stairs of their Johannesburg apartment complex in Fleurhof. Authorities allege it was Tiffany who ended his life.
Heartbreaking Charges and Court Appearance
Tiffany, just 31 years old, appeared in court on serious charges: murder, defeating the ends of justice, and crimen injuria.
She’s currently behind bars and expected to return to court on Friday for her next appearance.
Jayden’s death has shocked and devastated the community, especially given the sentimental message he had written to his mother just days before he died.
The Card That Now Brings Only Pain
Jayden’s handwritten Mother’s Day card — originally shared by Tiffany herself on Facebook — has since made the rounds on social media.
Its contents are now deeply gut-wrenching in light of what followed.
“Happy Mother’s Day, mom.
I hope you have an amazing day, and I will try to make you breakfast in bed.
Thank you for being the best mom in the world and always taking care of me and putting me before yourself.”
On the envelope, he had drawn a heart with the message: “Home is where my mom is.”
That message now stings with tragic irony.
Days after he gave her the card, Jayden was declared missing.
Within hours, his body was discovered at the foot of their apartment stairs.
What Happened to Jayden-Lee Meek?
According to the charge sheet, investigators believe Tiffany struck her son on the head with an unknown object, causing blunt force trauma that led to his death.
Forensics later found bloodstains on his bed and school clothes, suggesting the assault may have happened inside their home.
Even more disturbing — before his body was found, Tiffany allegedly told police that Jayden had vanished after school and actively discouraged them from searching her apartment.
That night, she stayed over at her mother’s house.
A Cover-Up Allegation
The court documents claim Tiffany knowingly misled authorities.
By filing a false missing person report and preventing police from accessing her home, the prosecution believes she deliberately obstructed justice.
The charge sheet states:
“The accused wrongfully and intentionally reported the child as missing, knowing this would prevent suspicion and avoid a search of her residence.”
From Joyful Childhood Moments to a Tragic Ending
Photos of Jayden-Lee circulating online show a bright-eyed young boy who once brought joy to those around him.
Now, his short life is being remembered through candlelight vigils, heartbreak, and calls for justice.
His story has sparked outrage across South Africa, with many questioning what could drive a parent to such an unthinkable act — if the allegations are proven true.