OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police have found the body believed to be that of a boy from Saiki City who has been missing for around three years in a mountainous area of Osaka Prefecture after working off information provided by his father, reports Fuji News Network (Nov. 16).
On Tuesday afternoon, officers found the body likely of Tatsuki Kajimoto, who would be four years old today, buried in a forested area of the village of Chihayaakasaka.
The search had begun on Monday. Investigators dug a hole measuring 50 centimeters by 60 centimeters. At a depth of about 40 centimeters, the body was found, wearing sport shoes and socks.
Police had previously arrested Suguru Kajimoto, the boy’s 35-year-old father, and his mother, 32-year-old Chiho, for fraudulently receiving child-care allowance for their son.
Suguru had previously told police that he dumped the boy’s body in the ocean. He later contradicted that claim by saying he dumped the body on a ridge in Nara Prefecture.
Regarding the boy’s death, Suguru was previously quoted as saying that “he died after falling from stairs at a residence in Matsubara City (Osaka)” in December. However, he later admitted to beating the boy to death.
Tatsuki was last known to have been seen at an institution in December of 2013. Both suspects took him from the facility when they were living in Matsubara.
Police have also charged Suguru with beating his son to death. Chiho also faces additional charges of negligence.
