GEORGE TOWN: The eight-year-old girl who was scalded with hot water by her father will be placed under the care of the state Welfare Department (JKM).
Its deputy director R. Chitarthany said the girl was still receiving treatment at the Penang Hospital following the injuries sustained and was not ready to be discharged yet.
Upon discharge, she said, JKM would temporarily place the girl at a children’s home.
“We are looking into finding a fit person or family for the placement of the child. We met the child’s maternal grandparents who are both in their 80s, and at present both are looking after the girl’s siblings.
“As you know, the child’s parents managed to escape. Hence, after she is discharged, she will be placed for a temporary period at the children’s home,” she told the NSTP when contacted today.
It was initially reported that the father scalded his daughter after accusing the girl of stealing RM10 from her mother in their Kampung Melayu flat here last Thursday night.
Following investigations, it was found that the man had acted violently towards his own child because his four children, aged between three and nine, including the victim, had finished all the food prepared by his wife.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Che Zaimani Che Awang said the police had already identified the whereabouts of the 41-year-old, who absconded soon after the incident.
Police urged the man to surrender himself to assist in the investigation.
He said the man, his wife and their youngest child, were reportedly outside the state.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.