Police recovered the decomposed body of an 8-year-old boy from a reed field in Faridpur's Sadarpur Upazila on Monday, three days after he was reported missing.
The victim, Shahadat Hossain, was the son of Abdur Rashid from the Chandrapara Puratan Ghat area of Charnasirpur Union. He was a student at Hanif Haji's Dangi Qawmi Madrasa.
According to family members, Shahadat went missing on Friday while visiting a fair held near the Chandrapara Darbar and a nearby trawler terminal during Muharram observances. Relatives searched extensively for the child and made public announcements but were unable to locate him.
Police said the body was found around 3 p.m. Monday in a reed field along the banks of the Arial Khan River.
According to the family, an 18-year-old fair worker identified as Yasin called the victim's sister, Rowshan Ara, on Monday and informed her of the body's location. Family members went to the site, found the body, and alerted police. Authorities said Yasin has since gone into hiding.
Following the discovery, local residents detained the owner of a fairground swing ride and several workers before handing them over to police. Police said five individuals are currently being questioned in connection with the case after they were turned over by members of the public.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Bhanga Circle) Md. Rezoan Dipu and Sadarpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Abdul Al Mamun Shah visited the scene following the discovery.
Police said the body has been sent to the Faridpur Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Officer-in-Charge Abdul Al Mamun Shah said investigators are treating the case with priority.
"The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, and the incident is being investigated thoroughly. Five suspects have been handed over to police by local residents. Those found responsible will be identified and brought to justice," he said.
Authorities have not announced any arrests or filed formal charges as of the time of publication, and the investigation remains ongoing.
