IPOH: A four-year-old boy's pleas for food at a flat in Menglembu here led to the discovery of multiple injuries he had suffered.
Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Yahaya Hassan said initial investigations also found that the boy is believed to have been abused by his guardians.
ACP Yahaya said police received information about the boy from an individual at 4.30pm on Wednesday (Aug 2).
"He was walking past the victim's house and heard his pleas for food and saw his injuries. The boy was left all alone at home with some Milo and bread," he said in a statement.
"The police arrested the boy's 23-year-old mother and her 26-year-old boyfriend at the flat at about 7pm on Wednesday.
"We also seized a rubber pipe and a cane, which we believed were used to hit the boy," he said, adding that the mother divorced in 2019 and the biological father was uncontactable.
"The victim is being treated at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital," he added.
ACP Yahaya said the matter will be investigated under Section 31(1)(A) of the Child Act.
"The two suspects have been remanded for five days until Aug 7," he said, adding that the mother was a cleaner while the boyfriend was a cardboard box collector.
"The man also tested positive for methamphetamine.
"Investigation papers are being completed and will be referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's office with the recommendation to press charges," he said.
