Missing boy's body found
2003-05-28 10:45
Port Elizabeth - The body of four-year-old Keith Alexander, missing since Saturday afternoon, was found in the swimming pool of his Korsten home, the Eastern Cape Herald reported on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Johann van Greunen confirmed on Tuesday night that the child's body had been found floating in the deep end of the swimming pool by a family friend.
Derrick Williams, who along with police, relatives and the community had combed the suburb for any trace of the boy, made the gruesome discovery about 21:10 on Tuesday night.
Williams said he had searched the murky swimming pool with a 2m stick along the sides when the child had gone missing.
"The water's very muddy. You can't see the bottom of it. It's possible that he fell into the pool," he said.
Everyone connected to the little boy was deeply shocked.
"It's not what they were expecting, but we are thankful to God that he has been found," Williams added.
Keith was last seen standing at the gate with his aunt. She went into the house to answer the phone, and when she came out, he was missing.
Two children said they had seen Keith walking away from his home with a man, about 17:30 on Saturday. They saw him walking in Elkana Street the following day and alerted Keith's parents, who called the police.
The man was arrested, but denied that he had abducted the child. He appeared in Gelvandale magistrate's court on a charge of kidnapping.
He was not asked to plead and no evidence was led. The case was postponed for further investigation.