Preschool Teacher Amber Lee Hughes Faces Charges of Rape and Drowning of 4-Year-Old Stepdaughter

Johannesburg – Amber Lee Hughes, a 25-year-old preschool teacher, has been found guilty of premeditated murder and the rape of her 4-year-old student and stepdaughter, Nada-Jane Challita.

The High Court of South Africa’s Gauteng Division in Johannesburg delivered the verdict on Thursday, 28 August 2025.

Initially, Hughes pleaded not guilty, compelling the state to present evidence to support its claims beyond a reasonable doubt.

After reviewing both sides and their closing statements, Hughes offered additional admissions, confessing to drowning the child following an emotional dispute with the child’s father regarding his infidelity.

She cited her Borderline Personality Disorder but acknowledged full awareness of her actions, noting multiple suicide attempts afterward.

However, she denied the rape allegations, claiming unawareness of how the child sustained vaginal injuries.

While the court found insufficient evidence for anal penetration, it determined there was enough to substantiate the accusation of vaginal rape.

Testimony from the pathologist indicated a recent injury in the child’s private area, suggesting penetration with a small object shortly before her death.

The court considered the expert witness credible, and given Hughes’ admission of being alone with the child at the time of her death, it concluded she was responsible for the injuries, resulting in her conviction for rape.

Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng, announced that the case has been rescheduled for pre-sentencing hearings on 27 October 2025, which will involve arguments for both mitigation and aggravation.