LIKONI: Police at Shelly Beach in Likoni, Mombasa, have arrested a woman for allegedly subjecting her 11-year-old son to severe confinement.

Mary Wanjiru was arrested at the Bahari area in Ushindi, within Timbwani Ward, after neighbors reported the alleged child abuse to the area assistant chief, who subsequently alerted the police.

According to Amina Juma of the Sauti ya Wanawake organization, the weak and severely malnourished child was lying helplessly on the floor when they forced entry into the room.

She noted that the boy had been locked inside without food for more than 24 hours.

Juma added that preliminary investigations revealed the suspect had repeatedly abused the minor, including using a heated knife to inflict burn injuries on his body.

The suspect was escorted to the Shelly Beach Police Station, where she was booked pending further investigation and court arraignment.