Father handed two life terms for rape and murder of eight-day-old daughter

WARNING: This story might upset sensitive readers

A 37-year-old father from Carletonville has been sentenced to two life terms for the rape and murder of his eight-day-old baby daughter.

Hugo Ferreira appeared in the Pretoria High Court, where the sentence was handed down.

Father sentenced for raping and killing newborn daughter

Ferreira was sentenced to two life terms for the rape and murder of his eight-day-old daughter, Caithlyn Ferreira.

Ferreira pleaded guilty to the charges of the rape and murder of his daughter and said he acted out of anger toward the mother.

Father asks for leniency

During sentencing, the father requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that his guilty plea saved the court time and he demonstrated remorse.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said state prosecutor advocate Andre Wilsenach opposed Ferreira’s request and asked for life imprisonment.

“Wilsenach argued Ferreira’s acts were heinous and he committed them against his own defenceless eight-day-old baby to spite the mother. Wilsenach emphasised Ferreira’s role as the biological father, who should have protected his child, not abused his position to harm her.”

ALSO READ: KZN man working in US arrested for allegedly distributing child porn

Criminal history  

Wilsenach also highlighted Ferreira’s criminal history, including five previous convictions, one for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, underscoring his violent tendencies.

He asked the court not to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence.

Judge Portia Phahlane rejected Ferreira’s plea for leniency and agreed with submissions made by the state.

Phahlane ruled that Ferreira’s guilty plea stemmed from overwhelming evidence the state had against him, not genuine remorse and found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum sentence.

Rape and murder

Ferreira and Caithlyn’s mother, who were in a relationship, lived together in Welverdiend, Carletonville.

On 8 June 2023, the mother left home to sell clothes to buy nappies, entrusting the infant to Ferreira’s care.

Mahanjana said before the mother left, Ferreira instructed her to return within five minutes as the baby was breastfeeding.

“When she failed to return on time, and the baby began crying, Ferreira, enraged, assaulted and raped the newborn. He used his fingers to violate her and rubbed his private parts against hers, later claiming he was ‘giving the baby a reason to cry’.

“Upon the mother’s return, Ferreira initially hid the injured child and refused to hand her over. The mother then called the police. As he was handing the baby over in the presence of the police, her injuries became evident,” Mahanjana said.

Ferreira was arrested and Caithlyn was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day.

“The NPA welcomes this sentence which reflects the gravity of a father’s crimes against his child. This case reaffirms our unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide, ensuring that perpetrators face the full weight of justice,” Mahanjana added.

ALSO READ: Justice for Cwecwe: AfriForum slams ‘social media detectives’ as outrage swells