Amber Lee Hughes, a 26-year-old nursery worker from South Africa, has been convicted of the premeditated murder and rape of her four-year-old stepdaughter, Nada-Jane Chalita. The horrific crime, which occurred on January 23, 2023, involved Hughes drowning Nada-Jane in a bathtub after inflicting severe injuries on her. In court, Hughes expressed that she believed her stepdaughter was 'better off dead' and sought leniency during her sentencing, showing a chilling lack of empathy for her actions.

The case has drawn attention not only for the brutal nature of the crime but also for the disturbing mindset of the perpetrator. Hughes’s conviction was handed down by the High Court of South Africa's Gauteng Division in Johannesburg in 2025. Despite denying the charges throughout the trial, her own words in mitigation revealed a troubling belief that contributed to her violent actions.

This case reflects grave concerns about child safety and the mental health of caregivers, highlighting a more extensive issue of domestic violence and child abuse in South Africa. It raises questions about how to better protect vulnerable children and support families in crisis, especially when a caregiver's mental state can have devastating consequences for the young lives they are meant to nurture.