Tbong Khmum: The eastern province of Tbong Khmum has been rocked by a shocking murder. A 5-year-old boy has been killed by his 15-year-old neighbour. The little boy was reported missing on Monday, and was found floating in a pond late on Tuesday night. The 15-year-old suspect is now in custody.

It was just after lunchtime on Monday that the parents of the five-year-old boy went to their local police station to report that their son was missing. Police officers and neighbors conducted a search. His body was found at midnight on Tuesday in a small pond. Police immediately traced who was with the young boy before he went missing. It was his 15-year-old neighbour. After questioning, he allegedly confessed.

Child Protection Unit Director James McCabe posted on the group’s Facebook page that the five-year-old had been beaten before he was drowned. It’s alleged the 15-year-old became angry when his little neighbour swore at him. The CPU says the suspect is likely to be charged with Aggravated Murder of a child.