A seven-year-old girl who was allegedly raped was found dead in a dry well in Butuan City.

Police said the victim was reported missing by her father dawn on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

A few hours later, the girl was found dead in a dry well located about one kilometer from their house.

Authorities arrested a 29-year-old neighbor who, initially, joined the police and barangay officials in searching for the girl. He reportedly disappeared all of a sudden when his shirt and pants were found at the crime scene.

“Yung nawala na kasama sa nagse-search, yun pala tinago niya yung t-shirt at saka siya pala yung may-ari ng ano... ‘yung pinaghihinalaan ng barangay opisyal at mga pulis natin… at nag-confess na rin siya sa barangay opisyal na siya yung responsable sa krimen na iyon,” Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) Station 4 Chief, Captain Dennis Bon, said.

Based on accounts of the suspect, police said the suspect came from a drinking session and passed by the house of the victim.

The suspect then entered the house while the victim was sleeping with her siblings. The victim’s father was sleeping in another room.

The suspect then punched the victim and brought her away from the house. He then allegedly raped her before throwing her into the well.

The suspect is now under police custody and has asked the victim’s family for forgiveness.

He was made to undergo a drug test.

“May initial kami na (information) na kasi sinabi dito na gumagamit din daw (ng iligal na droga) pero hindi pa natin ma-conclude kasi wala pa tayong result ng drug test na pina-conduct natin sa kanya,” Bon said.

The victim’s body will also be autopsied to ascertain the cause of death.

The suspect will face rape with homicide charges.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the suspect and the victim’s family for a statement, as of this writing.