Police said the 41-year-old man was angered to find out his daughter had taken RM10 from her mother’s purse.

Both parents were now missing, said police.

Northeast district police chief Che Zaimani Che Awang said a neighbour who overheard the incident alerted a friend who lives in the same neighbourhood.

He said the neighbour’s friend visited the flat and found the Standard Two girl scalded on the right part of her body.

Che Zaimani said the man then brought the girl to the Air Itam police station to make a report, before taking her to the Penang Hospital for treatment.

He said doctors found scaling on her forearms, right ribcage and parts of right-hand side of her body.

Doctors said the girl suffered from 3% mid-dermal burns and was treated with antibacterials.

Che Zaimani said the girl’s condition was stable.

“According to the complainant, the parents of the victim had always neglected their four children and they were often seen loitering around the neighbourhood without any adult supervision.”

The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for child abuse, which carries a maximum of 10 years’ jail and RM20,000 fine.