A five-year-old child’s body has been recovered from the Kangs River in Mymensingh’s Dhobaura upazila, just hours after she was reported missing from near her home. Police have stated that they suspect the child may have been sexually assaulted before being killed, although investigations are ongoing.

According to police and family accounts, the child went missing at around 5:00 pm on Sunday from the vicinity of her residence in Dhobaura upazila. Family members initially searched extensively in surrounding areas but were unable to locate her. Approximately two and a half hours later, at around 7:30 pm, local residents noticed a child’s body floating at a bend in the Kangs River, roughly 500 yards from the victim’s home.

Following the discovery, family members went to the scene and identified the body. It was then recovered from the river with assistance from locals. Initially, relatives believed the death might have been due to natural causes. However, during preparations for burial later that night, when the body was being washed, injuries were reportedly found on the child’s sensitive areas. This discovery prompted the family to halt burial arrangements and inform the police.

Police officers arrived at the scene at around 12:30 am after being notified. A formal inquest examination was conducted before the body was taken into police custody. On Monday morning, the body was sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.

The child’s father stated that his daughter had gone outside after having tea and biscuits following the afternoon prayers and did not return. He expressed shock and grief over the incident, stating that he could not have imagined such an incident involving his daughter.

The Officer-in-Charge of Dhobaura Police Station, Shafiqur Islam, said that preliminary assessments suggest the child may have been subjected to sexual assault and subsequently killed, with the body later dumped into the river. He further confirmed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been engaged to assist in the investigation, and that necessary legal and investigative measures are underway.

Authorities have not yet confirmed any arrests in connection with the incident, and the case remains under active investigation.

Timeline of Events