The killing of 4-year-old Oscar Velasquez is one of the most shocking homicides ever reported in Belize and tonight it gets worse. 7NEWS has confirmed that police have detained as primary suspects two brothers, one 14 years old and the other 12 years old. They both live in the Antelope Street Extension neighborhood and were acquainted with the children. As we went to air they were both still detained and we are told police are very near to pressing charges, which in this case would be murder because a minor over the age of 12 can be charged for a capital offence.
Police aren't saying much but from our information, both boys have a long and unfortunate history of run-ins with the law, and have been the victims of various abuses and neglect. It is notable that last night when the Oscar's body was found both boys were observed in the crowd on the scene.
Meanwhile the victim's mother Maria Sanchez had been detained but was released this afternoon.
A post mortem revealed that Oscar Velasquez died of asphyxia. Police also pinpoint the time of death to 72 hours earlier, which by our math is Monday afternoon when he first went missing.
