A violent scene unfolded in a Bogotá neighborhood when local residents discovered the tragic fate of two young siblings at the hands of their father.
According to Daily Mail, Darwin Beltrán, 31, was forcibly removed from his residence by an angry mob and beaten in the streets after allegedly stabbing his four-year-old son Santy and seven-year-old daughter Susan to death.
Witnesses reported that the tragic events began when Beltrán confronted his wife about alleged infidelity. The situation escalated rapidly, with neighbors hearing screams coming from inside the family's home.
After Beltrán's wife managed to escape from a bedroom, he reportedly returned and attacked both children with a knife.
Community Response Turns Violent Against Suspect
Local residents, upon learning of the children's deaths, stormed into Beltrán's home. Video footage captured multiple individuals taking turns assaulting the father, delivering kicks and punches before law enforcement arrived to intervene.
The Bogotá Metropolitan Police responded to emergency calls from concerned neighbors who witnessed the community's reaction. Officers managed to rescue Beltrán from the mob and transport him to a local police station.
Images circulating on social media showed Beltrán at the police station, seated in a chair with visible blood stains on his face and clothing. During questioning, he reportedly provided a full confession to authorities.
Previous Legal Troubles Surface
Investigation into Beltrán's background revealed a history of legal issues. Records indicate he was previously arrested in 2019 for domestic violence and again in 2022 for possession of stolen goods and concealment.
A neighbor who knew the family shared insights about Beltrán's struggles with the relationship and financial difficulties. The neighbor told Blu Radio:
If he came home without a penny to eat, she (the children's mother) would get into trouble. He would ask me what he should do, if he should leave or stay. He didn't seem violent. That's why it seems strange to me. They were very close.
The case has drawn attention from city officials, including Bogotá's mayor, Carlos F. Galán, who expressed his dismay on social media platform X.
Official Response and Legal Proceedings
Mayor Galán made his position clear regarding the severity of the crime, stating:
I am deeply saddened by the news of the murder of two children aged 4 and 7 by their father. I offer my sympathy to the family. What is happening to us as a society? These cases are heartbreaking and unacceptable. The murderer was caught red-handed and is now being prosecuted. I ask the courts to impose the highest possible sentence on this man.
Beltrán was scheduled to appear before a judge on Tuesday to face charges related to the deaths of his children. The judicial system is under pressure from both city officials and the public to pursue maximum penalties in the case.
A Community Grapples With Tragedy
The incident has left the Engativá neighborhood in shock, raising questions about domestic violence and community response to violent crimes. The deaths of Santy and Susan have become a rallying point for discussions about family violence in Colombia.
The tragic loss of two young lives at the hands of their father has deeply affected the local community and sparked broader conversations about domestic violence prevention. As legal proceedings begin, both authorities and residents await justice for the young victims of this family tragedy.
