A South African mom gets life in prison for selling her 6-year-old daughter because of her “eyes and skin” color

A South African mother, Kelly Smith, and two others were found guilty on May 2 of kidnapping and trafficking charges after authorities claimed she may have sold her daughter to a local healer who wanted the 6-year-old for her eye and skin color.

Joshlin Smith, Kelly’s daughter, went missing in February 2024. Along with Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were also convicted in connection with Joshlin's disappearance.

During the trial, a neighbor testified that shortly before Joshlin disappeared, Smith had confided in her about plans to sell her daughter to a traditional healer who wanted her for her “eyes and skin.”

The neighbor, Lourentia Lombaard, stated that Smith admitted she “did something silly” by selling her child to a sangoma (traditional healer). Lombaard also reported that Smith offered money to her and others who knew about the plan to keep quiet.

Additionally, Joshlin’s teacher testified that she asked Smith where Joshlin was, and Smith responded that her daughter was "on a ship, inside a container, on the way to West Africa."

A woman suspected of being the healer had been arrested during the search for Joshlin but was later released due to a lack of evidence.

When the guilty verdict was announced, Smith broke down in tears, while others in the courtroom applauded the decision. Smith, Appollis, and van Rhyn could face life in prison.

If you suspect child abuse, please call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org (http://www.childhelp.org). All calls are toll-free and confidential, available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.