Girl, 3, ‘raped and strangled by neighbour’ who ‘helped family search for kid’

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT: A three-year-old girl was found dead in a field as police say she was raped and strangled by a neighbour who ‘helped’ her family search for the child

A man has been accused of raping and strangling of three-year-old girl before helping the search party look for the child. The toddler was found dead in an agricultural field on Sunday evening (November 1).

Investigators said her body was hidden and showed signs of being strangled by her own pyjama trousers. The horror unfolded in a village under Muskara police station in Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Police allege the 30-year-old suspect lured the toddler away as she played outside her home and took her to a nearby field. More disturbingly, the suspect reportedly attempted to conceal his involvement by leaving the area before returning to the village to participate in the search with her family.

The little girl’s family reportedly discovered her remains after hours of searching, which led to the neighbour being handed over to the police. After officers moved in to remove the child’s body, fights broke out.

Villagers allegedly formed a blockade and attempted to prevent police from taking her for a post-mortem, Times of India reported. During the unrest, stones were thrown at police vehicles and officials said six cars were damaged – including vehicles used by senior officers and local station staff – until reinforcements arrived and the situation was brought under control.

The suspect was reportedly arrested soon after, but the situation escalated again during his transfer. Police say he tried to break free while being taken for questioning and to assist with evidence recovery.

In one account from officers, he allegedly snatched a weapon; in another, police said he produced a country-made pistol he had concealed and opened fire. Officers retaliated and shot him in the leg, police said.

He was then taken to hospital for treatment under heavy guard. Senior officers in Hamirpur said more security has been deployed in the area to prevent further violence.

Police have promised a fast-tracked investigation, with the case being handled under India’s child protection and sexual offences laws. This comes after a Disney World Mickey Mouse actor has been arrested as part of an investigation into a massive suspected child predator ring, the Daily Star previously reported.

Police said Collin Klaco was perhaps the “sickest” person they had ever detained. The 25-year-old was one of 281 arrested in a massive sting operation in Florida, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters.

A total of 13 of the arrested were said to have worked for Disney World. Klaco was caught after he had allegedly been communicating online with an undercover officer who was posing as a 13-year-old boy.

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