An atrocious nursery school teacher who sexually assaulted and killed her boyfriend’s four-year-old daughter carried out a horrifying final act by drowning the child in a bathtub.
Amber Lee Hughes, 25, confessed to the murder of little Nada-Jane Chalita in a tragic incident triggered by her paranoid belief that her partner was being unfaithful.
The child’s father, Elie, entrusted Hughes with Nada-Jane while he attended a job interview in Johannesburg on January 23, 2023. Upset by his departure without a goodbye kiss, Hughes became jealous and forcibly submerged the child in the bathtub until she drowned.
Initially denying the murder charges, Hughes later pleaded guilty during her trial, admitting to leaving the girl’s body in the tub with the water still running after she fell silent.
At the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, Hughes acknowledged her actions, stating, “I confess to drowning the deceased, Nada Jane Therese Challita, on January 23, 2023, by sitting on her, causing her to be submerged in the water. I further admit that I left her in the bathtub with the cold water tap running after she stopped responding.”
During the trial, it was revealed that Hughes had sent a message to Elie before the murder, expressing her anger and making threats. A post-mortem examination indicated that Nada-Jane had been sexually assaulted prior to her death.
In court, Hughes attributed her crime to a traumatic past and mental health struggles, including experiences of bullying and attempted suicide. A social worker testified that Hughes expressed deep regret for her actions, wishing she could undo the tragedy.
Despite Hughes’ remorse, Judge Richard Mkabela deemed her actions premeditated, citing her threatening messages before the murder as evidence of intent. He emphasized that Hughes followed through on her threats of harm.
Hughes began her relationship with Elie in 2021 and moved in with him and Nada-Jane. Reports indicated a tumultuous relationship, with Hughes frequently making threats against the child.
In August, Hughes was found guilty of premeditated murder and rape, crimes punishable by life imprisonment under South African law.
Elie expressed his profound grief over his daughter’s tragic fate, stating that no justice could compensate for his loss.
The victim’s family faced further disappointment when sentencing was postponed until February 16, 2026, causing additional anguish and frustration.