In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the community of San Rafael, Bulacan, a 2-year-old boy named Caleb—known to his family as a sweet, playful child—was found dead inside the room of a neighboring home on June 15, 2025. The alleged perpetrator: a 15-year-old neighbor with a known disability and history of disturbing behavior.

According to reports, Caleb was momentarily left in the living room by his mother. Within minutes, he had vanished. A frantic search led to a tragic discovery: the child had been taken, allegedly strangled, and hit fatally on the head by the teenage suspect.

What makes this even more disturbing is the suspect’s past—previously linked to several acts of animal cruelty, including reported killings of pets in the neighborhood. Some locals say they had long harbored fears about his behavior, yet no serious interventions were ever made.

This incident forces us to confront difficult questions:

Are we doing enough to support families caring for children with psychological or developmental challenges?

Are signs of violent tendencies being ignored because of a person’s age or disability?

Is our community equipped to protect children from dangers that may exist just next door?

As the family of young Caleb mourns an unimaginable loss, the nation is once again reminded of how vulnerable our children can be—and how essential it is to strengthen mental health services, community awareness, and child protection protocols.

Caleb’s story is not just a tragedy—it’s a call to action. A reminder that while not all dangers wear a mask, silence and inaction can be just as deadly.

Let’s speak up. Let’s look after one another. Let’s make sure this never happens again.