A couple was today remanded for four days to assist investigation after the husband was suspected of pouring hot water on his daughter for finishing his dinner.
The remand order was issued by George Town sessions court’s criminal magistrate’s court assistant registrar, Muna Maria Azmi starting today until Thursday after allowing a remand application by investigating officer Inspector Zahirah Othman.
The duo was detained in front of a durian shop at Jalan Paya Terubong at about 10am yesterday under Section 31(1) (a) of the Child Act 2001.
The man who disappeared with his wife and youngest son after the incident was believed to have returned to Penang yesterday.
The 42-year-old father and his wife, 34, arrived in the remand room at 11.30am.
In the incident last week, the eight-year-old girl was scalded after being splashed with hot water by her father after she was believed to have eaten his dinner in their house at Kampung Melayu Flat, Air Hitam.
In the incident at 1am, the victim who is the only girl of four children was scalded on the arm and chest, but she was reported to be in stable condition.
Meanwhile, Penang Social Welfare Department (JKM) deputy director R Chitarthany said the girl, who had been placed under JKM’s care, was being treated at the Penang Hospital.
She said that JKM would temporarily place the victim at a shelter for children after she is discharged from the hospital.
“We’ve met the victim’s grandfather and grandmother, who are in their 80s, who are temporarily looking after the victim’s siblings,” Chitarthany added.