POLICE have detained the father and stepmother of a six-year-old boy in Bahau, near Seremban, on suspicion of abusing him since March.

Jempol police chief Hoo Chang Hook said the man, a 27-year-old sawmill worker, and his unemployed wife, 31, were arrested after police were tipped off by the public at 2.30pm yesterday that the boy had run away from home due to abuse.

“The boy is the eldest of four siblings. We believe he has been beaten by hand and a wooden ladle, kicked and caned by his father and stepmother. The other children were not abused,” he said in a statement today.

“The boy’s body is covered with scars and wounds. He is being treated at Kuala Pilah Hospital.

Hoo said the suspects have been remanded for a week effective today and the case is being investigated under section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001. – Bernama, September 13, 2023.