Categories: World

A girl went missing, seizing South Africa’s attention. Now her mother is charged with selling her

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for March 7

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The mother of a 6-year-old girl who has been missing in South Africa for nearly three weeks was arrested and charged Thursday with kidnapping and selling or trafficking her daughter, a shocking twist in a case that has seized the country’s attention and sparked deep anger in the small, poor coastal community where the family lives.

The girl, Joslin Smith, has still not been found and police renewed calls for “every citizen, every person” to help find her amid fears she may have been taken to a different city or even out of the country.

BUFFALOES ROAMING MAJOR HIGHWAY PROMPT WILDLIFE RESCUE OPERATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

In the days after Joslin’s disappearance last month, local media reported that neighbors had accused her mother of selling her for just over $1,000.

The discovery of a child’s discarded clothing near Joslin’s home last weekend heightened emotions.

Her mother, Kelly Smith — whose full name given by prosecutors is Racquel Chantel Smith — has now been charged with kidnapping and human trafficking offenses along with three others, two men and a woman. One of the men is Smith’s boyfriend. She claimed she left Joslin with him on Feb. 19 while she went to work.

Joslin was reported missing that day.

The mother of missing 6-year-old Joslin Smith, Kelly Smith, appears in court in Vredenburg, South Africa, Thursday, March 7, 2024. Smith has been charged with kidnapping and selling or trafficking her daughter in a shocking twist in a case that has enraptured the country and sparked deep anger in the small, poor coastal community where the family lives.

The four suspects didn’t enter a plea in response to the charges and another court hearing was scheduled for next week. They will remain in custody, prosecutors said.

Joslin hasn’t been found despite a major search operation involving police, firefighters, city authorities and specialized sniffer dog units around the family home near Saldanha Bay, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Cape Town on South Africa’s west coast. The national minister of police visited the area and met with Kelly Smith.

Police said a child’s clothing had been recovered last weekend near the settlement of small houses and shacks where Joslin lived. It was sent to a laboratory for forensic examination. Community members who are also involved in the search said the clothing was spattered with blood and a knife was also found. Police didn’t give any more details on what was discovered.

Prosecutors said in court documents released Thursday that Kelly Smith and the others conspired to abduct Joslin and intentionally sold, delivered or exchanged her. The suspects face a sentence of life in prison if convicted of the main charge of human trafficking.

The four suspects left the courthouse in Vredenburg, a town near Saldanha Bay, in an armored police van as a large crowd gathered outside, repeatedly shouting “Justice for Joslin.”

Western Cape province police commissioner Thembisile Patekile told reporters that more arrests could be made, but authorities also had to re-focus on the search for Joslin.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“At this stage, we do not have a child,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is to find the child. We still want to find that child alive.”

Authorities have given different spellings for the girl’s name. Police identified her as Joslin, while prosecutors named her as Joshlin in their documents. It wasn’t immediately possible to verify the spelling of her name.

Share

Recent Posts

Bishop T.D. Jakes suffers health incident after ‘powerful’ sermon during Sunday service

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 24 Fox News Flash top headlines…

3 minutes ago

Illegal immigrant with extensive criminal history arrested for attempted rape days after release from jail

close Video If you are an illegal immigrant, you better have ‘eyes in the back…

3 minutes ago

Mississippi teacher fired after allegedly feeding students dog treats mistaken for beef jerky

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 24 Fox News Flash top headlines…

4 minutes ago

Stanford prof accused of using AI to fake testimony in Minnesota case against conservative YouTuber

A Stanford University "misinformation expert" has been accused of using artificial intelligence (AI) to craft…

3 hours ago

Entire police department resigns leaving South Carolina community without law enforcement presence

close Video Town's former police chief explains why entire department resigned Former Geary, Oklahoma, Police…

5 hours ago

Wrong-way driver arrested after striking multiple vehicles, shootout with police officer: ‘He’s got a gun!’

close Video Wrong-way driver caught on video firing rifle at officer at striking multiple vehicles…

5 hours ago