A woman in her twenties has been taken into custody on suspicion of the death of Daniel Aruebose. The young child went missing under mysterious circumstances during the summer of 2021 from his residence in Donabate, located in north Co Dublin, at the age of three. In September, skeletal remains identified as Daniel’s were uncovered, prompting the authorities to reclassify the case as a homicide just a fortnight ago.
“In connection with the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Daniel Aruebose’s demise, law enforcement officials have arrested a woman in her twenties today on suspicion of murder,” stated a representative from the Garda. “She is presently being held under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in the Dublin Region. Investigations are ongoing.”
Police suspect that Daniel passed away more than four years ago and was discreetly laid to rest on a plot of land off the Portrane Road in Donabate, Co Dublin, in 2021. The last known sighting of him was at his residence in Donabate when he was three years old.
Following a 16-day exploration of scrubland near the property in September 2025, officers discovered partial human skeletal remains. Investigators believe that another individual or individuals are responsible for the child’s demise.
The revelation of Daniel’s death and clandestine burial came to light after officials from the Department of Social Protection conducted a “spot check” and identified his case as warranting further scrutiny.
Allegedly, Daniel was supposed to have attended a school in the Balbriggan area; however, the school denied any record of him being a student there. Additionally, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was informed that the youngster was residing in the southwest of the country, which turned out to be incorrect.
Subsequently, law enforcement was alerted, leading to the initiation of an investigation. A fresh plea for information was made subsequent to the discovery of the remains.
A Garda spokesperson emphasized, “The public is urged not to assume that the Gardaí already possess any information they may have, or that any detail is insignificant. The investigative team will assess the relevance of all information provided. Any communication will be appreciated and handled with the utmost confidentiality.”
Individuals with information are encouraged to reach out to Swords Garda Station at 01 666 4700, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Authorities acknowledged the widespread public discourse surrounding the case and advised against engaging in speculation, rumors, or theories about the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s fate.