The Joshlyn Smith Case: A Heartbreaking Tale of Betrayal, Human Trafficking, and Justice
On February 19, 2024, six-year-old Joshlyn Smith vanished from her home in the small settlement of Sana Bay, South Africa.

What began as a desperate search for a missing child quickly unraveled into one of the most disturbing and high-profile criminal cases the country has seen.

This case not only highlighted the vulnerability of children but also exposed a deeply troubling web of lies, betrayal, and an alleged plan to sell a child for money.

The investigation into Joshlyn’s disappearance would go through multiple twists, with shocking revelations and a drawn-out legal process.

Over the course of the trial, the country was gripped by the details that emerged, particularly about the involvement of Joshlyn’s mother, Kelly Smith, in orchestrating the alleged kidnapping and human trafficking.

Despite the convicted individuals facing life imprisonment, the fate of Joshlyn Smith remains a haunting mystery.

The Beginning: A Mysterious Disappearance
Joshlyn Smith, a vibrant six-year-old girl, was reported missing by her mother, Kelly Smith, on February 19, 2024.

Kelly, who worked as a domestic helper, had left Joshlyn at home with her boyfriend, Jacquwin Apollis, while she went to work.

Kelly also took her youngest daughter with her and dropped her off at daycare before heading to clean at a client’s home.

When Kelly returned to her shack after work, she was shocked to find that Joshlyn was gone, and her boyfriend, Apollis, was nowhere to be found.

The immediate response was swift—local authorities, volunteers, and even the South African Navy joined the search for Joshlyn.

Helicopters, K-9 units, and rescue boats scoured the area, but no trace of the child was found.

While searchers combed the land and social media spread the word about the missing girl, something strange was happening: neither Kelly nor Apollis were actively participating in the search.

This raised serious red flags for investigators.

Suspicion Falls on Kelly Smith
As the search for Joshlyn continued, suspicion quickly turned toward her mother, Kelly Smith.

Neighbors and locals noted that Kelly appeared unusually calm for someone whose child was missing.

Some described how she seemed more interested in her phone than in coordinating the search efforts.

Moreover, inconsistencies in her statements about when and where she last saw Joshlyn began to emerge.

Investigators uncovered more concerning evidence at Kelly’s home.

A bloodstained pillowcase and bed sheet were found by K-9 units during their search of the property.

Kelly’s lack of emotional response and the strange circumstances surrounding the missing child’s disappearance led police to question her more aggressively.

Despite her insistence that she had no idea what happened to Joshlyn, her behavior made investigators suspicious.

The Alleged Human Trafficking Plot
As the investigation deepened, shocking allegations began to surface.

Kelly Smith was accused of selling her daughter to a traditional healer, known as a sangoma, for 20,000 rand (approximately $1,000).

According to testimony from state witness Lorentia Lombard, Kelly had confided in her that she was struggling financially and had decided to sell Joshlyn to pay off her debts.

Lombard testified that Kelly had planned the sale for months and that she had even discussed the details with Apollis and another individual, Stefano Fenrain.

Lombard’s testimony was a key turning point in the case.

She claimed that on the day before Joshlyn’s disappearance, Kelly and her daughter were seen walking to a white vehicle.

A woman in green clothing, believed to be the sangoma, reportedly met Kelly, exchanged something with her, and then left.

The following day, Kelly and Joshlyn were seen getting into the same vehicle, marking the last time anyone saw the child.

Confessions and Inconsistencies
As the case progressed, further inconsistencies in the defense’s claims began to surface.

Apollis, who had initially denied any involvement, later confessed to being part of the plan.

He admitted that Kelly had instructed him to take Joshlyn to the sangoma, and he had been paid to keep quiet.

However, his confession came under scrutiny when he claimed that he had been tortured by police during his interrogation.

This claim of torture became a central point of debate, with Apollis arguing that his confession had been coerced.

Similarly, Lombard’s testimony was called into question by the defense, who pointed to discrepancies in her statements.

Despite these inconsistencies, the court was swayed by Lombard’s honesty in admitting her mistakes, as well as the corroborating evidence from other witnesses and phone records that linked the accused to the trafficking scheme.

Public Outcry and Community Involvement
The case generated widespread public outcry, and the people of Sana Bay rallied around the search for Joshlyn.

The community, devastated by the disappearance of the young girl, expressed frustration and anger toward Kelly and her boyfriend.

Protests outside the courtroom became common, with locals demanding justice for the missing child.

In one particularly emotional moment, Kelly’s biological father, Jose, openly doubted that his daughter was still alive, suspecting that she had been trafficked.

Despite the mounting evidence and public pressure, Kelly continued to maintain her innocence.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges of kidnapping and human trafficking, and her defense team argued that there was no concrete evidence linking her to the crime.

The legal process dragged on, with numerous delays and legal motions being filed, but the case eventually reached a critical point.

Trial and Sentencing
In May 2025, the trial of Kelly Smith, Jacquwin Apollis, and Stefano Fenrain came to a close, and the three were convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking.

The prosecution had successfully argued that the child had been sold to a sangoma for 20,000 rand, despite the absence of her body.

The judge, Nathan Arasmus, sentenced all three defendants to life imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years for kidnapping, with the sentences to run concurrently.

However, despite the convictions, the fate of Joshlyn remains uncertain.

The child has never been found, and the lack of concrete evidence regarding her whereabouts continues to haunt the community and her family.

The case remains open, with the police continuing their search for any leads that could help locate Joshlyn and bring closure to the case.

Ongoing Investigation and Public Impact
The case of Joshlyn Smith has had a lasting impact on the community of Sana Bay and beyond.

The investigation has exposed deep flaws in the systems designed to protect children, raising questions about the effectiveness of child welfare services and the role of the community in safeguarding vulnerable children.

The trial has also brought to light the growing problem of human trafficking in South Africa, with children becoming increasingly targeted by traffickers for exploitation.

Despite the emotional toll the case has taken on the community, there remains hope that Joshlyn will one day be found.

In the meantime, her disappearance serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers children face and the importance of vigilance in protecting them.