WATCH: Preschool teacher denies rape and murder of toddler (4) in Mulbarton
Court hears shocking details of sexual assault and asphyxiation in four-year-old’s death, revealed by forensic pathologist.
A 25-year-old preschool teacher, Amber Lee Hughes, has pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita, the daughter of her romantic partner.
The incident occurred on January 23, 2023, in Mulbarton.
The trial began on April 14 at the Johannesburg High Court, where Hughes faces charges of rape and murder.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, Hughes had allegedly developed a romantic relationship with the child’s father and moved into his home. The relationship was reportedly troubled and marked by frequent altercations.
During one such dispute, Hughes allegedly threatened to harm the child. It is claimed that when the father left the child in Hughes’s care, she allegedly raped the little girl by inserting an unknown object into her private parts.
The court also heard that Hughes allegedly drowned the child in a bathtub. The child’s lifeless body was later found floating in the bath.
@southern.courier Amber Lee Hughes on a second day of the trial where she is accused of r*ping and k*lling her lover’s daughter, Nada-Jane Challita (4) on January 23, 2023 in Mulbarton. Stay tuned on southerncourier.co.za for a full story
The prosecution called a witness on Tuesday, Dr. Hestelle van Staden, an expert in forensic pathology.
Dr. van Staden explained her findings during the autopsy, confirming that the cause of death was asphyxiation and sexual assault. She detailed the injuries sustained by the little girl, including facial injuries and injuries to both her front and back private parts.
The state advocate, Rolene Barnard, called the fifth and final witness to the stand, Lloyd Dzapasi.
Dzapasi confirmed that he is the general assistant for the father (Elie Challita) of Nada-Jane, and on the day of the incident (January 23, 2023), he was not at work because Challita told him he would be away. Dzapasi has worked for Challita for about six years. He said he heard about the death of Nada-Jane on the third day when he came to work.
Judge Richard Mkhabela postponed the case to Thursday, April 17.
What is asphyxiation
According to Health24, asphyxiation occurs when the body is deprived of oxygen, which can lead to unconsciousness or even death. This happens when the body does not receive enough oxygen to maintain normal bodily functions. It can be caused by choking, drowning, suffocation, or inhaling toxic gases.
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