Custodial dad, step detained for torturing 5-year-old son (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia has instutionalized father custody. And as a result, child abuse is especially horrific. Note that Saudi women activists have been trying to draw attention to the horrors that children face in that country, but to little avail. UNNAMED DAD in this case. See, for example, this article from last July:

http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2011/07/kids-are-being-murdered-at-hands-of.html

In addition, click on the "Saudi Arabia" tab below for similar stories.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article514661.ece

Dad, stepmom detained for abusing 5-year-old
By ARAB NEWS

Published: Oct 9, 2011 20:44 Updated: Oct 9, 2011 20:44

JEDDAH: A five-year-old boy showing signs of severe torture has been admitted to a Najran hospital’s intensive care unit.

Police have arrested the father and stepmother of the child, identified as Muhammad, for allegedly abusing him.

The abuse was discovered when the boy’s uncle found him in a traumatic state with marks of severe torture on his body. The uncle also said that the stepmother used to punish him severely. The boy has reportedly lost his ability to speak. The uncle took him to a Najran hospital where doctors said the injuries were most likely caused by torture.

Following the hospital’s report, police arrested the father and his second wife, who confessed that she used to beat the child to discipline him and teach him good manners, Al-Watan daily reported on Sunday.

The Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution is waiting for a detailed medical report before taking further action.

The Najran Health Directorate said in a statement that the boy was in a stable condition.

The boy’s mother, who is divorced from his father, reportedly said her son is not responding to any of her questions.