A mom faces life behind bars after reportedly selling her own daughter for $1,100. She was sentenced on May 29. Authorities still have no idea where the child is, nor has a body ever been found.
According to a report by CBS News, Joshlyn Smith, 6, vanished from her home in Saldanha Bay, South Africa, last year in February. The youngster’s disappearance reportedly sparked national interest and a massive search effort. The outlet explains that a minister even offered a one-million-rand (roughly $55,500) reward for Joshlyn’s safe return. During the search, Police say they extended the search beyond South African borders.
CBS says the mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, 35, was a “figure of sympathy” when Joshlyn first went missing. However, that depiction completely changed when prosecutors alleged she sold her daughter to a traditional healer. The identity of this healer is unknown, but they were allegedly interested in Joshlyn for her “eyes and fair complexion.” Smith reportedly sold her daughter for 20,000 rand, which is roughly $1,100.
The Judge Sentenced Three People In Connection With Joshlyn’s Disappearance
According to CNN, Judge Nathan Erasmus sentenced three people. Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and another friend, Steveno Van Rhyn. Erasmus convicted the trio of Human Trafficking, which has a penalty of life imprisonment. The Judge also gave them 10-year jail terms for kidnapping.
During the trial, a witness reportedly said that Smith revealed she sold Joshlyn to a “Sangoma.” CBS explains that she planned the sale in 2023. Both outlets say that Judge Erasmus told the trio that drugs were not an excuse for their actions. Joshlyn’s grandmother was also at the court hearing. She wore a white T-shirt with a picture of her granddaughter’s face printed on the front. The BBC reports that the translator was crying as she translated statements into English.
Per CBS, Erasmus also said, “There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming and deserving of a lesser sentence than the harshest I can impose.” He also ordered their names to be added to the child protection register. The Judge’s verdict reportedly drew cheers across the courtroom.