Police in Kanengo, a suburb of Lilongwe city, have arrested a 39-year-old man for allegedly burning his one-year-and-five-month-old daughter with hot porridge.

According to Kanengo Police spokesperson Gresham Ngwira, the man, Robert Mphanda, committed the act on February 5 after quarreling with his wife.

According to Ngwira, the child sustained burns on her face and is receiving medical treatment at Kamuzu Central Hospital in the same area.

“Following the incident, Mphanda went into hiding until we arrested him on the night of February 11,” they said.

They further stated that the suspect is expected to appear in court soon, where he will face charges under Section 235 of the Penal Code, which deals with grievous harm offenses.