In Cape Town, South Africa, the mother of a missing 6-year-old girl was arrested and charged with kidnapping and selling or trafficking her daughter, a shocking development in a case that has captivated the country’s attention. The girl, Joslin Smith, still has not been found, and the police are urging everyone to help locate her, fearing she may have been taken to another city or out of the country. Reports surfaced after Joslin’s disappearance that neighbors accused her mother of selling her for just over $1,000.
The discovery of a child’s discarded clothing near Joslin’s home intensified emotions in the community. Joslin’s mother, Kelly Smith, along with three others, including two men and a woman, has been charged with kidnapping and human trafficking. One of the men is Smith’s boyfriend, and she claimed she left Joslin with him on February 19 while she went to work. The child was reported missing on that same day.
The suspects did not plead guilty during their court appearance, and another hearing is scheduled for the following week. Despite a massive search operation involving various authorities, including police, firefighters, and specialized sniffer dog units, Joslin has not been located. The community is actively participating in the search, with suspicions raised by the discovery of a child’s clothing spattered with blood and a knife nearby.
Authorities stated that Kelly Smith and the others conspired to abduct Joslin and sell her, potentially facing a life sentence if convicted of human trafficking. As the suspects left the courthouse in an armored police van, a crowd demanded justice for Joslin. The police commissioner mentioned the possibility of more arrests while emphasizing the primary goal of finding Joslin alive. The spelling of Joslin’s name varies between the police and prosecutors, with the exact spelling currently unclear.