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Woman 'murdered for baby'
29/05/2007 09:23 - (SA)
Katrien Smit, Beeld
Pretoria - An Alberton woman is accused of lying to her boyfriend and pretending for months to be pregnant, eventually murdering the mother of a two-month-old baby so she could take the child.
Riana Hughes, 36, apparently kidnapped Keanu Kater on June 9 last year after she stabbed his mother, Katrina Mavis Du Plessis.
Du Plessis was stabbed several times and hit over the head.
The State alleges that Hughes convinced Du Plessis to let her "borrow" Keanu whenever Hughes's boyfriend, Donovan Quinton Ferris, came to visit her in hospital, so he would think Keanu was their child.
Hughes was to appear in the Johannesburg High Court for the first time on Monday, after she was released on bail. She did not show up, however.
Body found a week later
Advocate Paul Schutte, the prosecutor, did not order an arrest warrant for her because her case docket had apparently not yet arrived at the high court.
The State alleges that Hughes met Du Plessis in Coronation hospital in Johannesburg around April 16, where Keanu was born.
She allegedly introduced herself as Michelle.
Keanu was released from hospital after his birth, but on May 14 had to be admitted to hospital for some illness.
Hughes apparently told her boyfriend, Ferris, that she was pregnant and around the time that Keanu was born, told him his baby had been born.
It is unclear whether Hughes herself was admitted to hospital or if she only pretended to be a patient.
Ferris apparently regularly visited Hughes in hospital and was under the impression that Keanu was their son.
Keanu was discharged on June 9 and Hughes gave Du Plessis a ride home.
Du Plessis accepted, but Hughes stopped the car near an open field around Kliprivier and apparently stabbed Du Plessis several times, hitting her over the head with an object as well.
Du Plessis died in the field due to her head injuries.
Her body was found only a week later.
The State admitted on the charge sheet that it was not sure if Hughes committed the murder alone or had help.
Hughes was arrested a week later, on June 21, at her home in Edenpark. Keanu was found with her.
Judge Geraldine Borchers postponed the case.
- Beeld
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