KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — The mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy have been arrested after police found marks on the boy’s body indicating long-term abuse.

Ampang Jaya police chief ACP Khairuldin Saad said police picked up the couple — a 35-year-old taxi driver and his 31-year-old wife — from their flat in the district on Monday evening.

They had taken the boy to Ampang Hospital at about 1pm the same day after the mother noticed that he was unconscious.

“At the hospital, a doctor confirmed that the boy had died, and upon further examination, found bruises indicating abuse all over his body, hands and legs,” Khairuldin said.

Initial investigations revealed the boy had died from severe burns, with over 33.5 per cent of his body affected, from what police believe was caused by hot water.

The boy was the fourth of seven siblings, and had been staying with the couple since his parents’ divorce in 2009.

The mother is reportedly pregnant with her eighth child.

“I received a call from my former wife at about 3pm on Monday and was informed that my son had died,” said the boy’s father.

He said he had not seen his son and four other children since the divorce.

“I didn’t even know she remarried. She changed her phone number, so I have had no contact with them,” he said.

One of the couple’s neighbours claimed the boy was heard crying and begging his parents to stop beating him on Sunday.

“I felt sorry for him but I was worried that if I interfered, I would be in trouble with the couple,” said the neighbour.

She claimed it was not the first time that such an incident had taken place since the couple moved into their flat three months ago.

“They argued with each other all the time, and I had heard cries from their other children, too,” she said.

Police said no signs of abuse were found on the six other children.

The boy’s remains were claimed from Kuala Lumpur Hospital by his father and other family members at about 3pm yesterday.

He was buried at the Teratai Islamic cemetery in Ampang in the evening.

The couple have been remanded until Monday.