An Elsies River mother has made an emotional appeal after her daughter was falsely identified on social media as missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith. What began as an innocent TikTok dance video has, she says, left her child traumatised, frightened and withdrawn.
The girl, Shenikah Jacobs from Cape Town, was filmed dancing in the street as part of a dance group she enjoys being part of. But soon after the clip was posted, comments began flooding in from people claiming she was Joshlin.
Her mother, Shanan, said the rumours spiralled quickly and turned a carefree young girl into someone now living with fear.
Viral claims trigger fear and trauma
According to Shanan, the online harassment started about two weeks ago. She said people began posting that her daughter looked like Joshlin Smith and then went further by calling for public figures to investigate. Some even demanded that Shenikah be made to take a DNA test.
For the family that crossed a line. Shanan said her daughter read the comments herself and has struggled since. A child who once loved dancing and moving freely has, according to her mother, become fearful and withdrawn.
The case of Joshlin remains deeply sensitive across South Africa. The little girl from Saldanha Bay disappeared on 19 February 2024. In May 2025, her mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking and received life sentences. Despite renewed searches earlier this year, Joshlin has still not been found.
Mother says resemblance does not justify abuse
Shanan acknowledged that her daughter may share some facial features with Joshlin, but said that does not give strangers the right to make false accusations or drag her child into a case that has devastated the country.
She said she decided to speak out because the situation had become too painful to ignore. Her message is simple: Shenikah is not Joshlin, and people must stop spreading harmful claims about her and her family.
Social media’s damage is real
The case is a stark reminder of how quickly social media speculation can turn cruel, especially when children are involved. Public sympathy for Joshlin’s story remains intense, but that pain can easily be misdirected when users rush to conclusions online.
For this Cape Town family, the damage is already done. Now they are asking for something basic: privacy, compassion and an end to the false claims.