The body of a missing girl has been found dismembered in a sugarcane field after she popped out to buy shampoo for her new pet dog.
Sofía Delgado Zúñiga disappeared three weeks ago and remained missing for 18 days.
Her devastated mother Leidy Zúñiga held onto the hope the 12-year-old was still alive until the day her body was discovered.
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During that time, Interpol had issued a yellow notice in 195 countries.
The Governorate of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, also offered a reward of £7,185 (COP 40 million) for any information leading to the discovery of the missing minor.
The victim’s dismembered body was found stuffed into sacks and dumped in the sugarcane field in the municipality of La Candelaria near the Colombian city of Cali.
The remains of the girl, who was believed to have been sexually abused before being killed, was found yesterday morning (17 Oct).
Colombian senator Paloma Valencia said on social media: “The murder of Sofía Delgado in Valle is horrific.
“Our children cannot continue to be exposed to such violence.”
Two neighbours have been arrested in connection with the young girl’s murder.
According to reports, both have confessed to taking part in her death.
The suspects are a husband, 32, wife, 26.
He is accused of kidnapping little Sofia on the day of her disappearance.
The victim was identified on CCTV cameras being forced into the suspect’s white car.
She was making her way to a local store to buy shampoo for her new pet dog at the time, as reported by Need To Know.
He then took her to a home in Cali where traces of blood and other evidence were found by the police.
With the help of his wife, he allegedly killed and chopped up the minor’s body before dumping the remains in the field.
According to local media, he told the police where to find the victim’s body while confessing to the crime.
The male suspect, a shop owner who personally knows the victim’s family, reportedly has a criminal record for sexual abuse from 2018.
The investigation continues.
