How did Dean Verberckmoes die? Remains of Belgian boy, 4, found days after abduction
Five days after Belgian toddler Dean Verberckmoes was allegedly abducted by his babysitter, the four-year-old's “lifeless body” was discovered near a theme park, police have said. The grim discovery comes following a massive manhunt for the missing boy across two countries. According to Dutch police, Dean's remains were found on Monday, January 17, after his “terrified” mother issued a public plea for the kidnapper to bring her child home.
According to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, the boy's remains were found in an abandoned area of Neeltje Jans. Neeltje Jans is known for being a theme park in the Netherlands’ Zeeland province, and is a tourist attraction. His body was hidden in a parking spot, between boulders near the waterfront. A cause of death is yet to be revealed.
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“The police investigation pointed to a possible crime scene [on Neeltje Jans] on Monday evening,” and after a helicopter joined in search efforts, “the lifeless body of a child was found," the Dutch police said in a statement. “The mother of the child has been informed of the bad news by the Belgian police,” a spokesman for the Brabant police said.
Ook vriendin van Dave De Kock opgepakt: “Ze was zwaar onder invloed van alcohol” https://t.co/7rFn1ictZV pic.twitter.com/Gza14AfHMp
— HLN.BE (@HLN_BE) January 18, 2022
The child was earlier abducted by his longtime babysitter, who failed to drop the boy off at his grandparents’ house. He was then reported missing on January 12. An Amber Alert was later issued in the Netherlands. Elke Verberckmoes, Dean's mother, directly pleaded with the abductor to bring him back.
“I try to keep strong, but I’m actually terrified. All I want now is to be reunited with my little apple of my eye. Possibly put him at the door and then drive away, but take my son home,” she was quoted as saying by HLN. She said that the last words he told her were, “Hello mom, I’m going to miss you.”
The suspect, formally identified as Dave De K., has been arrested in Meerkerk, about 75 miles from where the child's body was found. According to Belgian prosecutors, Dave had previously been in prison for child abuse that led to the death of a 2-year-old boy. It is unclear if Dean's mother was aware of his records. She said that she first met the babysitter after getting to know his girlfriend while getting treatment for depression at a local psychiatric hospital.
“We got along well and spoke almost daily. Every Wednesday they took care of my two children, so that my own mother could be relieved. Dave had the best bond with Dean,” she told HLN. The girlfriend has also reportedly been arrested in the case. No further details on the charges against her have been disclosed yet.