Elsies River Family Begs Public To Stop Calling 9-Year-Old Girl Missing Joshlin Smith

A family from Elsies River has appealed to the public to stop spreading rumours that their nine-year-old daughter is missing Western Cape child Joshlin Smith.

The claims surfaced after a video of Shenikah Jacobs dancing at a local “Skeur My” competition in Leonsdale went viral on social media. Users began comparing the child to Joshlin because of her light hair and eyes, with some even alleging online that the missing girl had been found.

Joshlin disappeared from Middelpos in Saldanha on 19 February 2024. Despite extensive searches, the young girl has still not been located.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Seven Killed In Free State Head-On Collision Between Van And Car

Last year, her mother Kelly Smith, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were sentenced to life imprisonment after the Western Cape High Court found them guilty of kidnapping and trafficking the child.

Joshlin Smith Rumours Leave Elsies River Child Distressed

The video of Shenikah dancing quickly spread across TikTok, with searches linked to “Joshlin Smith body found” gaining traction online. Some users commented: “Haai nee Joshlin. Gayton soek jou”, while others claimed: “Daai is Joshlin”.

According to Shenikah’s aunt, the reaction from the public has deeply affected the family. She explained that the comments escalated after the dance competition and soon spilled over into everyday life.

“There was a ‘Skeur My’ competition in Leonsdale, in which she participated because she loves dancing, and that was when the comments started about Shenikah looking like Joshlin,” the aunt said.

“This has affected us to the point where we even cried because it does not sit well with us.”

Joshlin Smith Comparisons Spark Harassment In Community

The aunt said strangers have repeatedly approached Shenikah and her mother in public. Some questioned whether the child was Joshlin, while others accused the family of hiding the missing girl.

“Whenever Shenikah and her mother are walking outside, people will stop them, saying, ‘Isn’t this Joshlin?’ or they would point at her and say, ‘Isn’t she the child being accused of being Joshlin?’.”

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Elderly Mossel Bay Couple Found Dead In Kruger National Park As Murder Probe Intensifies

The family insists there is no truth to the rumours and says they have documentation proving Shenikah’s identity. The aunt added that police also visited the family home to verify that the child was not Joshlin.

“We know she is not Joshlin; we have a birth certificate to prove it. This has affected her mother especially, because people were saying she stole the child.

“The police even went to her house to make sure that she is not Joshlin.”

Joshlin Smith Social Media Comments Hurt Young Dancer’s Confidence

The ongoing attention has reportedly damaged Shenikah’s confidence and affected her love for dancing. Her aunt said the child has struggled emotionally because of the cruel remarks made online.

“The comments are very bad, and we do not like it. People are saying bad stuff like ‘Joshlin is prettier than Shenikah’.”

She added that the family is trying to encourage the young girl not to lose hope or give up on her passion.

“Shenikah does not want to dance anymore, but I told her she must dance and not let this affect her because she is Shenikah Jacobs. We speak confidence into her and try not to let it get to her.”