Missing boy, 4, found dead 5 days after ‘kidnapped by babysitter, 34, who was jailed for killing another child’

A TODDLER was found dead 5 days after he was allegedly kidnapped by a babysitter who was jailed for killing another child.

The body of 4-year-old Dean Verberckmoes has been found in the southern Netherlands province of Zeeland – after the boy’s disappearance sparked a massive search spanning two countries.

3

3

3

Police said it was spotted at Neeltje Jans, an island that forms part of the Oosterschelde flood barrier and is very popular with Dutch tourists.

Police sent so-called Amber Alerts – issued during child abductions – with the toddler’s description and a photo.

The warning came after police arrested a 34-year-old Belgian man in the town of Meerkerk, south of Utrecht, about 60 kilometers northeast of Neeltje Jans.

The man was last seen in the Belgian city of Sint Niklaas near Antwerp on Wednesday in the company of the man, identified only as Dave De K.

He was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2010 for child abuse that resulted in the death of a two-year-old toddler, according to local media.

De K. is constantly on the lookout for Dean and his sister, the toddler’s mother told Belga news agency.

The man was said to have taken the child back to his grandparents on Thursday and when that didn’t happen the mother reported him missing.

Dutch police launched a massive search after learning that De K. and the toddler may be in the Netherlands.

“The police investigation indicated a possible crime scene on Monday evening … and a police helicopter was also involved in the search,” Dutch police said.

“Around 10 p.m. (2100 GMT), the lifeless body of a child was found,” police said.

They added: “We thank everyone who helped and offer our condolences to his family.”