Father charged with murder after six-year-old son found dead under bed
ASSAULTED WITH A WOODEN STICK
A COMMUNITY is in shock after a father was arrested for the murder of his six-year-old son whose body was discovered hidden under a bed days after the child went missing. T
Image: File
A COMMUNITY is in shock after a father was arrested for the murder of his six-year-old son whose body was discovered hidden under a bed days after the child went missing. The suspect allegedly assaulted the boy with a wooden stick before his disappearance
The Free State father has been charged with murder and is expected to appear in the Fouriesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The gruesome discovery was made by a community member after the child had been reported missing on January 29.
Provincial police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, said that on the day the child went missing, the father allegedly assaulted the child with a wooden stick in the presence of the grandmother.
"She reportedly questioned him about his actions, and he responded that he could do as he pleased with his child. This was the last time the grandmother saw the boy."
The broader community searched for the missing boy, and on February 1, a community member entered the suspect’s residence and noticed unusual darkness and disorder in one of the bedrooms.
"Clothes were scattered around the room, which raised suspicion. Upon shining a cellphone light under the bed, the community member made the shocking discovery of the child’s body."
Police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were immediately summoned to the scene, where the child was declared dead.
"It was further noted that the boy had sustained bruises to his body."
Mophiring said the incident sent shockwaves through the community.