SA Woman Jailed for Selling Daughter | Life Sentence
South African Woman Gets Life in Prison for Selling Daughter
Updated May 29, 2025
A South African woman will spend the rest of her life in prison after being convicted of kidnapping and selling her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith. The horrific case has drawn national attention to the issue of human trafficking and child safety.
racquel “Kelly” Smith, 35, was sentenced along with her boyfriend and a friend for their roles in the disappearance of Joshlin, who vanished from Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, in February 2023. The child has never been found.
judge Nathan Erasmus handed down the life sentences for human trafficking,along with a concurrent 10-year sentence for kidnapping. All three will also be added to the child protection register.
The judge stated there were no mitigating factors that would justify a lesser sentence, emphasizing the severity of the crime.Smith reportedly remained impassive during the hour-long proceedings.
Prosecutors alleged Smith sold her daughter,reportedly for 20,000 rand (€990),to a customary healer as of the child’s fair complexion and striking eyes. The judge did not elaborate on who purchased the girl or the specific reasons behind the sale.
Initially, smith garnered sympathy after Joshlin’s disappearance, which prompted a large-scale search. though, suspicion grew, leading to her arrest and subsequent conviction for human trafficking. Witnesses, including Joshlin’s teacher and a pastor, testified about Smith’s plans to sell her daughter.
The case has highlighted the rising rates of kidnapping in South Africa, which has one of the highest crime rates globally. Police statistics indicate over 17,000 kidnappings occured in the 2023/2024 financial year, an 11% increase from the previous year.
Erasmus noted Smith displayed no remorse and was manipulative. The verdict was met with cheers in the courtroom, where Joshlin’s grandmother was present, wearing a shirt bearing the child’s image.
What’s next
Police have extended the search for Joshlin beyond South Africa’s borders, as investigations continue into this disturbing case of child trafficking.