Kelly Smith maintains innocence in daughter's disappearance

Kelly Smith continues to deny involvement in the disappearance of her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin, despite being convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking. Smith is currently serving a life sentence at the Worcester Women’s Correctional Facility.

Reverend June Dolley-Major, who recently visited Smith at the facility, reported that Smith appears to be in good spirits and has engaged in Bible study, sewing, and modelling programmes. During their meeting, Smith requested prayer and Holy Communion. Dolley-Major noted that Smith maintains her innocence and raised questions regarding inconsistencies in previous versions of events and the examination of evidence.

Joshlin disappeared from Middelpos in Saldanha Bay on 19 February 2024. Despite extensive searches by police and volunteers, the child has not been found. In May 2025, the Western Cape High Court sentenced Smith, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn to life imprisonment for human trafficking, with additional concurrent sentences for kidnapping. Western Cape police confirmed that the search for the child remains an active missing-person investigation.