Slain 6-year-old girl found in plastic bag under suspect’s bed

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines—The body of a six-year-old believed to have been molested was found wrapped in plastic bag beneath the bed of her suspected killer in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday.

The police identified the victim as Kim Marie Cañete, daughter of the unmarried couple, Wilford Cañete and Pempe Mainit, both 30 years old. Kim Marie was reported missing by her parents after they woke up without her by their side Saturday morning.

The girl was found at around 11 a.m. Sunday under the bed of suspect Ricky Gentilizo, 22, in a hut at New Barrio, Barangay (village) 16-A, Victorias City, said Supt. Alexander Muñoz, Victorias police chief.

Muñoz said a pair of slippers, which were left behind at the comfort room near the victim’s house, was later identified to be owned by the suspect.

This prompted the Victorias police probers to invite Gentilizo for questioning, who later confessed involvement in the commission of the crime, he added.

Muñoz said Kim Marie, who could have been on her way to their comfort room, might have been waylaid by the suspect on Saturday morning.

Police investigations also showed that the victim might have been molested, as she wore no underwear.

Muñoz said the suspect also confessed to have hit Kim Marie in the left side of her face and mouth.

Gentilizo also told the police that he placed the girl inside a transparent plastic and covered with his clothes beneath his bed, the police chief said.

Based on the autopsy report, Kim Marie died due to asphyxia by suffocation and hemorrhage due to genital laceration, Muñoz said.

The police were preparing the filing of rape with homicide charges against Gentilizo, a neighbor of the victim.