A nursery teacher, who was ill, tragically caused the death of her partner’s four-year-old daughter by sitting on her in the bathtub until she drowned. The teacher, identified as Amber Lee Hughes, committed this heinous act due to a disturbing reason.
The incident took place on January 23, 2023, after the child’s father, Elie, had left her in Hughes’ care while he attended a job interview. Angered by what she perceived as her partner’s infidelity for not kissing her goodbye, Hughes sent him a chilling message before carrying out the brutal attack.
During the trial at Johannesburg High Court in South Africa, Hughes admitted to suffering from borderline personality disorder at the time but claimed she was fully aware of her actions. She explained that a heated argument with Elie over his alleged unfaithfulness triggered her actions, leading to the tragic outcome of the child’s death.
Following the murder, Hughes attempted suicide three times and attributed her behavior to past trauma and mental health struggles. Despite expressing remorse and regret over the incident, the court found her actions to be premeditated based on text messages exchanged before the murder.
Hughes was convicted of premeditated murder and vaginal rape, receiving a life imprisonment sentence. Elie, the child’s father, expressed that no punishment could ever suffice for the loss of his daughter, emphasizing the deep impact of the tragic event on him.
The court learned that Hughes had a tumultuous relationship with Elie and had previously made threats against the child’s well-being. The case highlighted the devastating consequences of Hughes’ actions and the profound grief experienced by the victim’s family.