Female Nursery Teacher R*ped And Drowned Partner's Helpless 4-Year-Old Daughter In Jealous Rage

A South African High Court has convicted a former nursery teacher of raping and murdering her partner's four-year-old daughter in a case that has horrified the nation and reignited urgent debate about child protection within domestic settings.

Amber-Lee Hughes, 26, was found guilty of premeditated murder and rape in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg for the killing of Nada-Jane Challita in January 2023. The conviction followed extensive forensic testimony, admissions by the accused, and evidence of a volatile relationship marked by jealousy and conflict. Hughes has since appeared before the court to plead for leniency ahead of sentencing.

High Court Conviction And Official Findings

Judge Richard Makhabela delivered a guilty verdict in the Gauteng High Court, concluding that the state had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Hughes sexually assaulted and deliberately drowned the child in the family home on 27 August 2025. The ruling followed a full trial in which Hughes initially pleaded not guilty before later making partial admissions.

In an official statement released after the judgement, the National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that Hughes had been convicted of premeditated murder and rape. The NPA stated that the court accepted forensic evidence showing the child sustained acute vaginal injuries consistent with penetration by a small object minutes to hours before her death. The prosecution withdrew a second rape count relating to alleged anal penetration after concluding the evidence did not meet the threshold for proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Court records show that Hughes admitted to drowning the child after an argument with the girl's father. However, she denied responsibility for the sexual assault. Judge Makhabela rejected her denial, finding the medical testimony credible and concluding that the injuries were inflicted shortly before the killing.

According to evidence presented in court, Hughes filled the bathtub and submerged the child until she stopped breathing. When emergency services arrived, they found Hughes nearby with self-inflicted wrist wounds. The court determined that she had not attempted to rescue the child or summon help in time to prevent her death.

The Relationship And The Day Of The Killing

Testimony during the trial established that Hughes began a relationship with Elie Challita after he enrolled his daughter at the preschool where Hughes worked. The prosecution described the relationship as turbulent. Witnesses and digital evidence presented in court pointed to recurring arguments about alleged infidelity.

On 23 January 2023, the child's father left the home for a job interview, placing his daughter in Hughes' care. Text messages exchanged between the couple shortly before the child's death revealed heightened tensions. Prosecutors argued that Hughes' actions were fuelled by jealousy and anger directed at the father, with the child becoming the target of that rage.

The state led expert testimony from a forensic pathologist who described fresh genital injuries and confirmed drowning as the cause of death. The judge accepted that the assault and killing formed part of a continuous sequence of events. The court ruled that the murder was premeditated, noting that Hughes had time to reflect before filling the bath and carrying out the act.

The defence sought to challenge the rape charge, arguing that the accused had no memory of inflicting the injuries. The court found that explanation implausible when weighed against the medical findings and surrounding circumstances.

Sentencing Hearing And Mental Health Claims

In February 2026, Hughes returned to the witness stand during mitigation proceedings. She told the court that she had been struggling with mental health conditions, including Borderline Personality Disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder. She described prior suicide attempts and ongoing psychological distress.

During her testimony, Hughes claimed she believed the child would suffer neglect and instability. She told the court she thought killing the child was a way to prevent future harm. Prosecutors challenged that reasoning, emphasising that the accused had acknowledged awareness of her actions at the time.

The court heard that Hughes resigned from her position at the preschool before the incident, following performance concerns. The prosecution argued that her professional background as a caregiver aggravated the offence, given her position of trust toward young children.

Under South African law, premeditated murder carries a prescribed sentence of life imprisonment unless substantial and compelling circumstances justify a lesser term. The NPA has indicated it will argue for the statutory minimum sentence, citing the child's vulnerability and the calculated nature of the crime.

The conviction has prompted renewed scrutiny of safeguarding measures within homes and early childhood education settings. Advocacy organisations have called for stronger oversight and mental health support systems to prevent similar tragedies.

The family of Nada-Jane has addressed the court through victim impact statements, describing the enduring trauma caused by the killing. They have urged the court to impose the severest sentence permitted by law.

Originally published on IBTimes UK