A South African court sentenced a person to life in prison on Thursday for abducting and selling her 6-year-old girl in a situation that shocked the nation. Joshlin Smith vanished from her Saldanha Bay, a fishing town 135 kilometers ( 85 miles ) north of Cape Town, in February of last year, but she has never been located. Her mother, Racquel” Kelly” Smith, was reportedly found guilty of kidnapping and selling the young girl for 20 000 rand ($ 1), which was her sentence. Smith, 35, and her two co-accused, a partner and a common friend, were also sentenced to life in prison for mortal trafficking, according to Judge Nathan Erasmus. They each received a simultaneous 10-year prison sentence for theft. Erasmus declared,” I am even ordering the entrance of your labels to the child safety register. Smith was current at the court and watched the hour-long legal moving with a passive eye. When her child vanished, causing a huge nationwide search operation, she first appeared to be a symbol of sympathy. Joshlin’s impressive green eyes, broad grin, and brown ponytails were captured on camera. A minister who offered a one-million-rand ($ 54, 000 ) reward for her safe return also received national attention for the case. However, it changed when the prosecution claimed Smith sold her child to a standard doctor who was interested in her fair complexion and eyes. The theft of children is increasing in South Africa, which has one of the highest crime rates in the world.
