Johor Bahru Utara district police chief Rupiah Abd Wahid said a report was lodged by the child’s mother yesterday after a video of the incident went viral on social media.

She said the child, who is hyperactive with speech delay, had been placed by her parents at the nursery, which is also a care centre for children with special needs.

“Investigations based on a closed-circuit TV recording at the nursery showed the teacher pulling the child by the ear and placing a pillow over her face.

“The child was taken to Sultanah Aminah Hospital, here, where medical officers confirmed that she had bruises on her right ear,” said Rupiah in a statement.

Police arrested the 24-year-old teacher at the nursery in Jalan Putih, Skudai, last night, she said.

Rupiah said the teacher had been remanded for seven days until May 17 under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years or a fine of RM50,000 or both on conviction.

Anyone with information on the case can contact the Johor Bahru Utara police headquarters at 07-5563122.