Additional Coverage:
A Welverdiend, South Africa man has confessed to the murder and sexual assault of his one-week-old daughter. 37-year-old Hugo Ferreira admitted to the Pretoria High Court that he attacked the infant while her mother was briefly away from their home on June 8, 2023.
According to Ferreira, he became frustrated with caring for the baby while his partner, Maureen Brand, was out selling clothes and buying diapers. He claims he “pushed her head against” a hard surface, causing fatal head injuries. The infant later died in the hospital.
Ferreira also admitted to sexually assaulting the newborn, chillingly stating he wanted to “give her something to cry about.” He hid the injured baby from Brand upon her return, acknowledging he knew the severity of the infant’s injuries. While Ferreira admitted his actions were “cruel and gruesome,” he insisted his methamphetamine use did not influence his decisions.
Sentencing is scheduled for next week.