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Suddenly she was gone: seven-year-old Joslin S.* from the Western Cape in Africa has been missing since February 19 this year. And the police have a serious suspicion: her own mother might have sold the girl. Kelly S.* and her boyfriend Jacquen A.* allegedly handed the little girl over to human traffickers – for the equivalent of 940 francs.
The couple was arrested along with another man and a woman, the BBC reports. The couple was suspected by neighbors shortly after the disappearance of the seven-year-old. The reason for this was blood-stained children’s clothing found near the family’s hut.
‘If I have to, I’ll look in every hut.’
Kelly S. defends herself against the serious accusations and protests her innocence. She is convinced that Joslin S. must still be around. Her motherly instinct tells her this: “We will find her, I will go on foot to find her. “I will look in every hut if I have to, even alone,” she told a local newspaper.
On average, a child disappears every five hours in South Africa, but many of them are found again. Joslin S. has not yet been found despite a large-scale search with the navy, drones and sniffer dogs.
Desperate community members searched sewers and wells in the days following the girl’s disappearance. A reward of 100,000 rand (4,700 francs) was offered for information on the girl’s whereabouts.
Mother was reportedly not present when the child disappeared
The four main suspects were charged and had to appear in court. According to a statement from the police responsible, no one has confessed, but investigators are still “one step closer to finding Joslin or finding out what happened to her.” The mother stated that she was not at home at the time of her daughter’s disappearance; only her partner was present.
A crowd gathered outside the courthouse to demonstrate for justice for the girl and chant “bring Joslin back.” (Unpleasant)
*Names known
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
