Father, stepmother arrested for abuse as 6-year-old boy found with severe burns, injuries

Police in District 8 arrested Nguyen Quoc Toan, 24, and his wife, Le Thuy Thanh Tam, 22, on Friday to investigate them for "intentionally causing injuries."

Nguyen Quoc Toan (L), and his wife, Le Thuy Thanh Tam, at a police station. Photo courtesy of police

At the police station, the couple admitted to inflicting injuries on Toan's six-year-old son from a previous relationship. After their abuse was discovered, they fled to Long An Province, which borders HCMC, where they were later apprehended.

Police have yet to disclose the specific methods used by the couple to cause the boy’s burns and injuries. However, Toan’s mother, who took the child to hospital, alleged that her son "poured boiling water on the boy."

Earlier, residents living near the couple's boarding house on An Duong Vuong Street, District 8, found the boy locked alone in a room, crying, with multiple injuries. He was taken to HCMC Children's Hospital No. 1 with second- and third-degree burns on both legs below the knee. His left leg sustained 7% burns, while his right leg suffered 5%. The boy also experienced burn-related infections, sepsis, liver damage, and collapsed lungs.

Multiple wounds are seen on the body of a 6-year-old boy in HCMC. Photos provided to VnExpress

The boy's 25-year-old mother was informed of the matter on Sept. 28 and filed a complaint with the police, suspecting her ex-husband of abusing their son. She explained that she had lived with Toan, one year her junior, from 2016. Two years later, she gave birth to their son.

In April 2021, the couple separated, and she returned to her hometown in Phu Yen Province in central Vietnam with their son. About two months ago, she entrusted her ex-husband with the care of their child due to work commitments. She frequently checked in on him via video calls and noticed nothing unusual.