A wicked nursery school teacher, who sexually assaulted and killed her boyfriend’s four-year-old daughter, carried out a horrifying final act by drowning the child in a bathtub.
Amber Lee Hughes, 25, confessed to the murder of Nada-Jane Chalita, driven by her unfounded suspicions of her partner’s infidelity.
Elie, Nada-Jane’s father, entrusted Hughes with the care of his daughter while he attended a job interview in Johannesburg on January 23, 2023. When Elie did not bid farewell to Hughes before leaving, she became consumed by jealousy, resulting in the tragic incident where she forced the child into the bathtub and held her under until she drowned.
Initially denying the charges of murder, Hughes later pleaded guilty, admitting that she left Nada-Jane’s lifeless body in the bath with the water running after the child stopped responding.
During her statement at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, Hughes stated, “I acknowledge that I caused the drowning of Nada Jane Therese Challita on January 23, 2023, by sitting on her, leading to her submersion in the water.
“I confess that after the child became unresponsive, I left her in the tub while the cold water continued to flow.”
In court, it was revealed that just before the tragic event, Hughes messaged Elie, stating, “You shattered my heart; I will shatter yours. How could you betray me?”. An autopsy disclosed that Nada-Jane had been sexually assaulted twice prior to her demise.
During a court session, Hughes attributed her actions to a troubled childhood and mental health issues, citing experiences of bullying and multiple suicide attempts.
A social worker, Carina Wolmarans, testified that Hughes expressed deep regret for the crime, expressing her desire to undo her actions.
However, Judge Richard Mkabela deemed Hughes’ actions as premeditated, emphasizing her threatening messages prior to the incident as evidence of her intent. He remarked, “It is clear that [Hughes] meticulously planned this act and followed through on her threats.”
Hughes started a relationship with Elie in 2021 and moved in with him and Nada-Jane. Testimonies revealed a tumultuous relationship marked by Hughes’ repeated threats against Nada-Jane.
She was found guilty in August of premeditated murder and sexual assault, crimes punishable with a minimum life sentence under South African law.
Elie expressed his profound grief over the loss of his daughter, stating, “As a parent, nothing can make up for what happened to my child. The justice I seek does not seem attainable in this world or lifetime.”
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