An atrocious incident unfolded when a nursery school teacher committed a heinous act by sexually assaulting her partner’s 4-year-old daughter, leading to the tragic drowning of the child. The perpetrator, identified as Amber Lee Hughes, carried out the despicable act on January 23, 2023, resulting in the death of the victim, Nada-Jane Chalita, while she was under Hughes’ care as her father, Elie, was away for a job interview.
According to court testimonies, Hughes became enraged after Elie left without bidding her farewell, suspecting him of infidelity. Prior to the abhorrent assault and murder, Hughes sent a disturbing message expressing her feelings of betrayal and vengeance towards Elie. Subsequently, Hughes placed Nada-Jane in the bathtub and forcibly held her underwater until she drowned, with a post-mortem examination revealing evidence of prior sexual abuse.
During the trial at South Africa’s Johannesburg High Court, Hughes acknowledged her mental health condition but admitted being fully conscious of her actions on the day of the incident. She cited a dispute with Elie regarding his alleged unfaithfulness as a significant trigger for her actions and confessed to leaving the child unattended in the bathtub after she became unresponsive.
In her defense, Hughes attributed her behavior to a troubled childhood and mental health struggles, leading her to grapple with remorse following the tragic event. However, despite claims of regret, the presiding judge, Richard Mkabela, deemed Hughes’ actions as deliberate and premeditated, emphasizing the incriminating nature of her prior messages indicating malicious intent towards Elie.
Hughes’ relationship with Elie began in 2021, culminating in cohabitation with him and Nada-Jane. Reports from the court revealed a tumultuous dynamic in the relationship, marked by Hughes’ repeated threats of harm towards the child. In August, Hughes was convicted of premeditated murder and sexual assault, offenses carrying mandatory life imprisonment sentences. Elie, expressing profound grief and disillusionment with the justice system, stated that no punishment could ever suffice for the loss of his daughter.
The tragic incident has left a profound impact on the family, underscoring the devastating consequences of Hughes’ reprehensible actions and the enduring pain felt by those affected.