Missing girl, 7, found dead

SARIAYA, Quezon, Philippines – A seven-year-old girl reported missing the night before was found dead at a grassy area in Barangay Concepcion 1 here Sunday.

The victim, who was found under a pile of bamboo leaves, was believed raped as she was half-naked when she was found some 200 meters away from their house in Sitio Carnacion, said Superintendent Eduard Mallo, town police chief.

The girl’s mother, Jessa, sought police help on Saturday night after her daughter failed to return home.

Jessa said she last saw her daughter talking to a relative she identified only as a certain Romy, who was arrested in a follow-up operation.

Police said the suspect has arrest warrants for rape in Cavite.