A wicked nursery school teacher sexually assaulted her partner’s 4-year-old daughter and then suffocated her in the bathtub.
Amber Lee Hughes, described as a monster, committed the heinous acts against Nada-Jane Chalita on January 23, 2023, while the girl’s father, Elie, was away for a job interview.
Following Elie’s departure, Hughes, feeling betrayed because he didn’t say goodbye properly and suspecting him of infidelity, sent a disturbing message indicating her intentions before carrying out the assault and murder.
Hughes then submerged Nada-Jane in the bathtub and stayed on top of her until she drowned. An examination later revealed that Nada-Jane had been sexually assaulted prior to her death.
During the trial at Johannesburg High Court in South Africa, Hughes admitted to having borderline personality disorder during the incident but claimed she was fully aware of her actions. She confessed that the conflict with Elie over his alleged infidelity triggered the event, culminating in the fatal outcome.
After Nada-Jane became unresponsive, Hughes left her in the bathtub with the water running. Subsequently, she made several suicide attempts following the murder.
At the sentencing on October 27, Hughes attributed her actions to a troubled childhood and mental health issues. Social worker Carina Wolmarans testified that Hughes had a history of bullying and suicide attempts.
Despite expressing remorse for the murder, Hughes was deemed to have premeditated the crime by Judge Richard Mkabela based on her prior messages indicating her intentions.
Hughes had entered a relationship with Elie in 2021 and moved in with him and Nada-Jane. Testimonies revealed a turbulent relationship where Hughes repeatedly threatened harm towards Nada-Jane.
Hughes was convicted in August of premeditated murder and rape, both carrying mandatory life sentences. Elie, speaking about the trial, expressed that no punishment would ever suffice.
He added, “As a parent, the justice I seek cannot be found in this world or lifetime.”
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