Free State father charged after son was found dead under bed

A Free State man has been charged with murdering his six-year-old son and hiding his body under a bed.

The gruesome discovery was made by a community member after the child was reported missing on January 29, 2026.

This was said by provincial police spokesperson Adjutant Mmako Mophiring On the day the child went missing, the father allegedly attacked the child with a wooden stick in the grandmother’s presence.

“She reportedly questioned him about his actions, and he responded that he could do whatever he wanted with his child. This was the last time the grandmother saw the boy.”

The wider community searched for the missing boy, and on February 1 a community member entered the suspect’s home and noticed unusual darkness and disorder in one of the bedrooms.

“Clothes were strewn around the room, which aroused suspicion. When the community member shined a mobile light under the bed, the community member made the shocking discovery of the child’s body.”

Police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were immediately called to the scene, where the child was pronounced dead.

“It was further noted that the boy had suffered bruises on his body.”

Mophiring said the incident sent shockwaves through the community.

The father has been charged with murder and is expected to appear in court Fouriesburg Magistrate’s Court Tuesday.

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IOL