A three-year-old girl identified as Deneza has been found dead with body parts missing at Sefwi Awaso in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region.
Her mutilated body, with her head, hand, and leg severed, was discovered in a local cemetery on Saturday morning, October 17, after she went missing.
The toddler was allegedly abducted by a suspect identified as Sumilah. CCTV footage captured in the area reportedly showed the suspect offering the little girl a soft drink before leading her away.
Her mother, Gloria, who recently relocated to Sefwi Awaso to work at a local restaurant, raised an alarm after Deneza went missing while playing outside, triggering a search by police and community members.
The Assembly Member for the Awaso Electoral Area, Kennedy Ayitey Wisdom, said community leaders confronted the suspect who admitted picking up the child but claimed he had left her nearby. The Sefwi Bekwai District Police Command subsequently arrested him with the aid of the CCTV footage.
The body has since been deposited at the Sefwi Anhwiaso Morgue for autopsy and investigation by the Bibiani Division and Sefwi Bekwai District Police Commands.
The Abusuapanin of Sefwi Awaso, Nsowaa Mensah, expressed profound sorrow on behalf of traditional leaders and the community and called on security agencies to thoroughly interrogate the suspect to uncover any possible accomplices.
He also appealed to parents, guardians, and school authorities to heighten vigilance to safeguard children, while the Assembly Member urged parents to closely monitor their children as the festive season approaches.
Source: Kofi Gyabaah Prof
