IN an astounding turn of events, Kelly Smith, the mother of 6-year-old Joslin Smith, who has been missing for nearly three weeks in South Africa, was apprehended and formally charged with kidnapping and involvement in trafficking on Thursday. The disappearance of young Joslin has captured the nation’s attention, igniting profound anger within the modest, impoverished coastal community where the family resides.
‘Every citizen, every person, we need your help to find her,’ emphasised law enforcement, renewing their call for assistance in locating Joslin amidst fears she may have been transported to another city or even beyond the country’s borders.
Reports emerged shortly after Joslin’s vanishing that local residents had accused her mother of selling her for a sum slightly exceeding $1,000. Emotions soared when articles of a child’s clothing were discovered near Joslin’s residence over the past weekend, intensifying the urgency of the situation.
According to Kelly Smith, also known as Racquel Chantel Smith as per prosecutors, she entrusted Joslin to her boyfriend on February 19 while pursuing employment. However, Joslin was reported missing on that very day, casting suspicion on Smith’s narrative.
‘We still want to find that child alive,’ said Western Cape province police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, highlighting the ongoing efforts to locate Joslin.
Despite exhaustive search efforts involving police, firefighters, and specialised canine units in the vicinity of the family’s home near Saldanha Bay, about 120 kilometres north of Cape Town, Joslin’s whereabouts remain unknown. The national police minister visited the area and conferred with Kelly Smith.
Authorities disclosed the recovery of a child’s clothing near Joslin’s residence last weekend, sending it for forensic analysis. Community members participating in the search noted the presence of blood on the garments, accompanied by the discovery of a knife. However, police refrained from divulging further details regarding the findings.
‘The ultimate goal is to find the child,’ reiterated Patekile, underscoring the paramount importance of locating Joslin alive.
Conflicting spellings of the girl’s name have surfaced, with police identifying her as Joslin and prosecutors referencing her as Joshlin in official documents, leading to ambiguity surrounding the correct spelling.