Key Points
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Joshlin Smith court statement reveals the family’s emotional pain.
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Grandmother details the anxiety and trauma her grandchildren now face.
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Kelly Smith is accused of destroying family bonds and trust.
Amanda Smith Daniels, the grandmother of missing child Joshlin Smith, gave a powerful victim impact statement in court on Wednesday. Court Preparation Officer Deonett Boltney read the statement aloud.
In her message, Amanda directed her emotions straight at her daughter, Kelly Smith. “You made our lives hell on earth,” she said.
She shared how she cries into her pillow every night, praying for Joshlin’s safety.
Amanda expressed the weight of responsibility now placed on her shoulders. She now cares for Kelly’s children. Every morning, she takes them to school. Each night, she tucks them in with a heavy heart.
Joshlin Smith court statement exposes trauma children still suffer
The trauma has deeply affected the family, especially Kelly’s youngest child. Amanda explained that the child wakes in the night, afraid to be left alone. She runs to Amanda, arms outstretched, needing reassurance.
During moments of play, the child often pauses to say, “Mommy, you know my sister is gone—and my mom too.” Amanda’s voice cracked as she recalled these painful moments.
On Mother’s Day, the children surprised Amanda with breakfast in bed. Her grandson wished her a Happy Mother’s Day.
Amanda asked, “Didn’t you wish your own children were with you that day?”
She described the ongoing anxiety. If her grandson is just two minutes late from school, she panics. She has to be both protector and caregiver. And still, her heart remains broken.
Amanda Daniels accuses Kelly Smith of betrayal and denial
Amanda told the court she tried to help Kelly many times. She even offered to adopt her children, but Kelly refused.
“When your brother Rahand died, I had a grave to visit,” she said. “But where can I go to cry for Joshlin?”
Amanda said Kelly avoids taking responsibility. “You want to play the victim now,” she added. “You told me you’d speak at your next court appearance, but you never did. How do you sleep at night?”
She recalled the cruel teasing her grandson endures. Children mock him at school, saying his mother “uses tik” and “sold his sister.”
Amanda has picked him up early many times due to this bullying.
Finally, she reminded the court that the Andrews family would have given Joshlin the love and care she deserved. She concluded, “No sentence will be enough until we find Joshlin.”
