A body of a 7-year-old boy who went missing on Monday was found in Ngona river in the area of Chapananga in Chikwawa District.

The district’s police public relations officer, Foster Benjamin identified the boy as Luka Gubudu who was epileptic.

He said the body of the boy was discovered on Tuesday after he went missing on Monday.

According to the deceased father, Osman Gubudu, the child left home following his mother who had gone to Chapananga Market.

“The mother was reportedly not aware of her child’s movement.

“On her return, she found out that her son was not home and, in the company of others, embarked on a search until Tuesday morning when they found the body floating in Ngona river,” said Benjamin.

A medical practitioner, who was accompanied by the police, confirmed drowning as the possible cause of death.

The deceased hailed from Lundu Village under Senior Chief Chapananga in Chikwawa District.

Meanwhile, Benjamin said police are warning parents and guardians not to abandon their children alone to avoid similar incidents.