KEY POINTS
- Police found blood-stained items in the home of missing child Joshlin Smith.
- The mother’s calm demeanor raised suspicions during the initial investigation.
- Community members demanded answers as tensions escalated outside the court.
The investigation into the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith took a serious turn as key evidence emerged in court.
Sergeant Meyer Milstein from the Vredenburg Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses Unit took the stand, revealing details about the early days of the police investigation.
Milstein, who has been with the South African Police Service for 15 years, testified that he arrived at the scene on February 20, 2024.
He was introduced to Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, who was reportedly the last person to see the child.
During a search of the home, a police biology dog enabled officers to discover potential bloodstains on both a pillowcase and bed sheet.
The items were collected as evidence by forensic teams. A child-sized pink flip-flop was also found in the shack, matching the description of what Joshlin was last seen wearing.
Authorities immediately deployed additional search and rescue teams, including members of the K9 Unit, to scan the area for any additional clues.
The findings added a new layer of complexity to the case, raising more questions about what happened to the missing child.
Mother’s calm demeanor raises suspicions
One of the striking moments in court was Milstein’s observation of Kelly Smith’s demeanor.
He testified that despite her daughter being missing, she remained calm during their first conversation. “She was not crying,” he told the court. In contrast, Appollis appeared neutral, neither showing signs of distress nor concern.
According to Milstein, Kelly had left her children in Appollis’ care while she was at work. When she returned home, Joshlin was gone, prompting her to report the disappearance to the police that same evening.
She told officers that her other child was also left with Appollis, while her youngest was at a daycare center.
The home, a small shack in Middelpos, was described as messy. Inside, there was only one bed, where police found the blood-stained bedding.
Milstein testified that the stains were not soaked in blood but appeared smudged, raising concerns about what had transpired before the child went missing.
Community demands answers amid rising tensions
As the trial continues, tensions in the community of Middelpos are running high. On Thursday, the court conducted an inspection at the scene, allowing legal teams and the judge to examine key locations mentioned in testimony.
During the inspection, residents gathered outside, shouting at Kelly and demanding answers about her daughter’s whereabouts.
The crowd chanted, “Where is Joshlin?” as she was escorted into a police van. Kelly wept uncontrollably at this intense moment because public outrage visibly distressed her.
The authorities have not established an official link between the blood evidence and Joshlin, but forensic testing continues.
With new testimony expected to continue in court, the case remains one of South Africa’s most closely watched child disappearances.
