A wicked nursery school teacher who sexually assaulted and killed her boyfriend’s four-year-old daughter committed a heinous final act by drowning the child in a bathtub.
Amber Lee Hughes, aged 25, confessed to the murder of little Nada-Jane Chalita, driven by her unfounded suspicions of her partner’s infidelity.
Nada-Jane’s father, Elie, entrusted Hughes with his daughter while he attended a job interview in Johannesburg on January 23, 2023. Upset by Elie’s departure without a goodbye kiss, Hughes became enraged, leading to the tragic drowning of the child.
Initially denying the charges of murder, Hughes later pleaded guilty, admitting to leaving the child’s body in the bathtub with the water running after she ceased to respond.
In court, Hughes admitted to drowning Nada-Jane by sitting on her until she was submerged, then leaving her unresponsive in the tub with the tap running.
Before the murder, Hughes sent a message to Elie expressing her anger, further revealing her malicious intentions. An autopsy disclosed that Nada-Jane had been sexually assaulted prior to her death.
During the trial, Hughes attributed her actions to a troubled upbringing and mental health issues, expressing deep regret for her actions.
Despite Hughes’ remorse, the judge deemed her actions premeditated, citing her threatening messages and violent history with Nada-Jane.
Hughes had initiated a relationship with Elie in 2021 and moved in with him and his daughter. The court heard about the volatile nature of their relationship, marked by threats against Nada-Jane.
Convicted of premeditated murder and sexual assault, Hughes faces a mandatory life sentence under South African law.
Elie expressed his profound grief over the loss of his daughter, emphasizing that justice could never fully compensate for the tragedy.
The victim’s family faced further disappointment as sentencing was postponed until February 16, 2026, adding to their anguish over the delayed closure of the case.
