South African Man Pleads Guilty to Raping and Killing His Newborn Daughter

Hugo Ferreira pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of his eight-day-old daughter, an incident that occurred while her mother was away. Ferreira admitted to attacking the baby out of anger and acknowledged the horrific nature of his actions. The child later died from her injuries, and sentencing is set for next week.

Hugo Ferreira, a 37-year-old South African man, has admitted guilt for the rape and murder of his eight-day-old daughter. This tragic event occurred on June 8, 2023, while her mother, Maureen Brand, was out running errands. Ferreira confessed to the Pretoria High Court that he violently assaulted his newborn while left alone with her in Welverdiend, west of Johannesburg.

While recounting the incident, Ferreira stated that he acted out of anger when the baby cried from hunger and a dirty nappy. He described grabbing her by the neck and delivering multiple blows to her buttocks, asserting that he pushed her head against a surface. Remarkably, he claimed he wanted to “give her something to cry about.”

Upon returning home, Brand discovered her child in critical condition. Ferreira admitted to trying to hide the seriousness of her injuries, which delayed medical care. The infant was subsequently taken to the hospital, where she unfortunately died the next day from head injuries.

Ferreira acknowledged being under the influence of methamphetamine during the attack but insisted that it did not affect his comprehension of the wrongful nature of his behavior. He recognized the severity of his actions, stating, “I knew that my actions were wrong and that the baby could die, yet I continued.” Ferreira characterized his crime as a “cruel and gruesome attack” on an innocent infant.

With sentencing scheduled for the following week, this case has drawn significant media attention due to its heinous nature and the circumstances surrounding it.

Hugo Ferreira’s plea of guilt for the rape and murder of his eight-day-old daughter highlights a tragic and disturbing crime in South Africa. Despite claiming to be under the influence of drugs, Ferreira acknowledged his awareness of the severity of his actions, categorizing them as brutally intentional. The case underscores the critical issue of violence against vulnerable individuals, particularly children, and will await sentencing in the coming week.

Original Source: indianexpress.com