Children questioned over 4-year-old's death
Police suspect another child may be the culprit in the killing of a 4-year-old boy in south central Sweden as national criminal investigators and profiling experts have been called in to assist the investigation.
According to the TT news agency, one of the police's "hottest" theories is the boy was killed by another child.
Both children and young people have been interviewed in the ongoing investigation into the boy's death and around 30 officers are working on the case.
“The preliminary investigation is in full swing. Interviews are ongoing throughout most of the days and evenings,” prosecutor Yvonne Rudinsson told the TT news agency.
Kronoberg County police spokesperson Robert Loeffel said that Sweden's National Bureau of Investigation (Rikskriminalpolisen) has been called into assist because of the additional expertise they can provide.
“They are experts at systematising and managing investigations, that's why they are supporting us,” he told TT.
Criminal profiling experts have also been called in because local police lack such expertise, he added.
Prosecutor Rudinsson remained tight-lipped, however, about the results of the forensic investigation.
“I can't say what it's revealed. We have to hold that inside the investigation, it has extremely great significance,” she said.
The 4-year-old was reported missing on Sunday eventing after going out to play near his home in Ljungby.
Later that night, his body was found in a small wooded area not far from his home.
A witness who was in the area that night confirmed that there had been a fight among the children playing in the playground.
A game the children were playing got out of hand, resulting in the 4-year-old being chased into the wooded area, the witness told the Aftonbladet newspaper.
“I got the impression they were egging each other on. The 4-year-old seemed to be the one being singled out,” he said.
The mood in the neighbourhood remains subdued, with few people daring to venture outdoors.
Stuffed animals, roses, and candles have been laid on a path near the site where the 4-year-old's body was found.
“I still can't sleep at night. My children are the same age and I know the little boy who died,” local resident Arta told TT.
“I'm scared to let my 4-year-old out of my sight. The children fight a lot out here,” she added, pointing to the playground.
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According to the TT news agency, one of the police's "hottest" theories is the boy was killed by another child.
Both children and young people have been interviewed in the ongoing investigation into the boy's death and around 30 officers are working on the case.
“The preliminary investigation is in full swing. Interviews are ongoing throughout most of the days and evenings,” prosecutor Yvonne Rudinsson told the TT news agency.
Kronoberg County police spokesperson Robert Loeffel said that Sweden's National Bureau of Investigation (Rikskriminalpolisen) has been called into assist because of the additional expertise they can provide.
“They are experts at systematising and managing investigations, that's why they are supporting us,” he told TT.
Criminal profiling experts have also been called in because local police lack such expertise, he added.
Prosecutor Rudinsson remained tight-lipped, however, about the results of the forensic investigation.
“I can't say what it's revealed. We have to hold that inside the investigation, it has extremely great significance,” she said.
The 4-year-old was reported missing on Sunday eventing after going out to play near his home in Ljungby.
Later that night, his body was found in a small wooded area not far from his home.
A witness who was in the area that night confirmed that there had been a fight among the children playing in the playground.
A game the children were playing got out of hand, resulting in the 4-year-old being chased into the wooded area, the witness told the Aftonbladet newspaper.
“I got the impression they were egging each other on. The 4-year-old seemed to be the one being singled out,” he said.
The mood in the neighbourhood remains subdued, with few people daring to venture outdoors.
Stuffed animals, roses, and candles have been laid on a path near the site where the 4-year-old's body was found.
“I still can't sleep at night. My children are the same age and I know the little boy who died,” local resident Arta told TT.
“I'm scared to let my 4-year-old out of my sight. The children fight a lot out here,” she added, pointing to the playground.
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