Joshlin Smith’s Mother Kelly Smith Opens Up About Life Behind Bars

• Kelly Smith, convicted for the trafficking and kidnapping of her daughter Joshlin, has taken up sewing and modelling while serving a life sentence at Worcester Female Correctional Centre
• A reverend who visited Kelly in prison said her position on her daughter's disappearance has not changed, and she is pursuing an appeal
• New items believed to be connected to Joshlin were reportedly found in the Saldanha dunes after the conclusion of the court case

WESTERN CAPE - Kelly Smith is keeping herself busy behind bars as she continues to insist she had nothing to do with her daughter Joshlin's disappearance.

The 29-year-old is serving a life sentence at Worcester Female Correctional Centre after being convicted in May 2025 of trafficking in persons and kidnapping. She was sentenced alongside her boyfriend, Jacquen "Boeta" Appollis, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn. All three received life imprisonment for the trafficking conviction, plus an additional 10 years for kidnapping.

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The trio were arrested in March 2024, weeks after six-year-old Joshlin vanished from her home in Middelpos, Saldanha, on the evening of 19 February 2024.

Kelly finds purpose behind bars

Reverend June Dolley-Major, who has visited Kelly in prison, told IOL that the convicted mother has taken up sewing and modelling to pass the time. Kelly has also expressed a desire to study while incarcerated.

"She said she wants to study education," Dolley-Major shared.

However, the reverend suggested that adult education would be a more realistic path, given that Kelly would not be permitted to work with children following her conviction.

Dolley-Major added that Kelly regularly asks about her other children, though it appears she has not seen them since being imprisoned.

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Ribbon discovery leaves Kelly visibly shaken

Kelly's stance on Joshlin's fate has not shifted. According to Dolley-Major, "Her story remains the same: 'I know nothing'"

She also shared that Kelly is hoping to launch an appeal against her conviction.

The reverend also described a notable reaction from Kelly when she was told that a yellow ribbon, believed to belong to Joshlin, had reportedly been found in the Saldanha dunes. Kelly became visibly distressed, before stating that Appollis had told her Joshlin was not wearing a ribbon on the day she disappeared.

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Dolley-Major has suggested that tensions between the three convicted individuals may surface over time, noting that it appeared Kelly and Van Rhyn were both placing blame on Appollis.

The reverend has since called for additional forensic testing and a more thorough search of the Saldanha dunes, after announcing that other items potentially linked to Joshlin were also recovered in the area following the conclusion of the trial.

Kelly Smith maintains her innocence

Previously, Briefly News reported that Racquel “Kelly” Smith continues to maintain her innocence when it comes to the disappearance of Joslin Smith and instead blamed others for her being found guilty. That’s according to Errol Peterson, a social worker who conducted probation officer reports on Smith, Jacquin Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn. In his report, Peterson noted that he spoke to members of Kelly’s family and Kelly herself. During his interview with Joslin’s mother, she maintained that she had nothing to do with her daughter’s disappearance.

Source: Briefly News