Joshlin Smith trial: 'Blood-stained items found'

THE first investigating officer who probed the disappearance of Joshlin Smith revealed that authorities discovered a pillowcase and bed sheet that had stains resembling blood.

Sergeant Meyer Milstein, from the Vredeburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, who has 15 years service within the South African Police Service (SAPS),  took the stand on Thursday and said they came on board after an initial search was conducted by the responding police officers.

Sergeant Milstein said he had just entered Morreesburg when he received the call about the Saldanha matter and immediately made his way to the area.

He got to Middlepos at about 1pm on February 20, 2024, and he was introduced to the mother of the missing child. 

“I learned the mother’s name Ms [Kelly] Smith, and I also learnt the child is Joshlin Smith, who was six years old at the time,” he said. 

Sergeant Milstein said he conducted a brief interview with Kelly at her residence and also met her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis. 

“I learnt the boyfriend had been the last person to see Joshlin as the mother left her in his care. I obtained a statement from Mr Appollis,” Sergeant Milstein said. 

He said an initial search was conducted and they had started deploying resources. 

“We deployed members of the K9 Unit. I was assisted by a member who had a search and rescue dog, as well as a body fluid detection dog - also referred to as a biology dog,” he said. 

Sergeant Milstein said they uncovered some evidence while searching the shack. 

“We searched the residence and the biology dog identified a pillowcase and a bed sheet. We inspected it and it had stains that resembled blood. These items were collected by members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC). He also photographed the scene. 

“Upon further investigation, I also discovered a child-sized pink flip flop. It was relevant as it aligned with the clothing description of the child given by Ms Smith,” Sergeant Milstein testified. 

He told the court that Smith had left the two older children in Appollis’ care. When she came home from work, she found that Joshlin was missing and went to the police that evening to report the case. 

“She informed me Joshlin’s brother was also left in Appollis’ care. The younger sister went to creche. The reason she provided for the children not going to school was that the children were sick,” Sergeant Milstein said. 

When asked about Smith’s demeanour, he said: “She was relatively calm when I spoke to her. Not crying during the first interview”, while Appollis, he described as being ‘neutral’. 

Sergeant Milstein also described the shack on the inside. 

“It’s sub-divided into two rooms. On entry, the one room is used as a lounge area. To the left, adjacent to the lounge area, it seemed like a bedroom. It was very messy inside the shack. The room had a big bed. On top of the bed were lots of clothing and bedding,” he testified. 

Sergeant Milstein said he only saw one bed in the shack and the recovered bed sheet and pillow case came from that bed. 

He also stated that the recovered items were not soaked, there were blood stains and smudges. 

He is expected to further his evidence in chief on Friday. 

An inspection in loco was also conducted Thursday morning in Middelpos. The judge, legal counsels and accused were in attendance. The inspection started at Joshlin's home, and from there the judge was taken to various locations within the area to emphasise testimony already given to the court.

Residents in the area were livid upon seeing Smith, many calling for her to tell the truth, swearing at her and crowds gathering shouting: “Where is Joshlin?” “We want Joshlin.” 

Smith broke down as she was placed in the van and chants for Joshlin grew louder.

Cape Times