Butterworth police to record statement from abused girl's stepmother

Police will record the statement of a seven-year-old girl's stepmother to facilitate investigations into the alleged wrongful confinement and abuse of the Standard One pupil in Butterworth, here.

Seberang Perai Utara district police chief ACP Abdul Rahman Ibrahim said police were uncertain whether the woman, in her 30s, was involved, as investigations had not been completed.

"We might also record statements from other people including the victim's neighbours," he said when contacted here today.

The child was weak and famished when she was found by police on Thursday, following a report by the victim's teacher, at a flat at Sungai Dua, which did not have water and electricity supply.

Abdul Rahman said police had also detained a 34-year-old man, believed to be the victim's father, to assist in the investigation.

Meanwhile, he said police have not recorded the full statement of the victim who is being treated at Seberang Jaya Hospital for trauma.

"She is still in fragile condition and being treated in intensive care; we hope she will recover from the trauma soon," he said.

He also said the victim was possibly confined in the flat for more than a week without sufficient food.

Abdul Rahman said police had not been able to trace the victim's mother, an Indonesian, whom they believed had already returned to her country of origin.