As Saldanha Bay residents continue to search for Joshlin Smith, a close family friend told News24 that the little girl's mother, Kelly, was one of four suspects expected to appear in the Vredenburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Western Cape police would not comment, but Zulpha Cupido, a close friend of the Smith family, told News24 that Kelly had been arrested.
She declined to speak further, adding only that "the court of law will make the final decision".