The Dutch police discovered this Monday evening the body of a Belgian child whose disappearance five days ago, following a probable kidnapping, triggered a vast search operation in the two countries. The body of 4-year-old Dean Verberckmoes was found in the province of Zeeland (southern Netherlands), following a man was arrested earlier in the country in connection with the case.
“The body of Dean, 4, from Belgium, was unfortunately found in Zeeland,” Dutch police said in a statement. Police said the child was found on Neeltje Jans, an artificial island in the Eastern Scheldt, a popular destination for Dutch tourists.
Police had triggered an abduction alert earlier in the day, releasing a photo of the little boy to the public. This alert was issued following the arrest of a 34-year-old Belgian in the town of Meerkerk, regarding 120 kilometers northeast of Neeltje Jans. The victim was last seen last Wednesday in the company of this man, according to public television NOS.