In a tragic turn in a case that gripped South Africa, the mother of a young girl who vanished more than a year ago has been convicted of kidnapping and trafficking her own daughter.

Kelly Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn, were found guilty on Friday of abducting and trafficking six-year-old Joshlin Smith. The child disappeared from outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, in February 2024.

The trio had consistently denied the charges since their arrest, pleading not guilty throughout the legal proceedings. However, after months of investigation and a drawn-out trial, the court delivered its verdict, convicting all three of the serious offenses.

The details of the case have shocked the nation, especially given the involvement of the girl’s own mother. The circumstances of Joshlin’s disappearance remain deeply distressing, and to date, her whereabouts are still unknown.

Authorities and child protection advocates have expressed both relief at the convictions and frustration at the unanswered questions. While the legal process has held the perpetrators accountable, the ultimate hope for many remains the safe return—or at least closure—regarding Joshlin.

Sentencing is expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, renewed calls have been made for better protections for vulnerable children and stronger measures against human trafficking in South Africa.