[AlissBart]

GEORGE TOWN - A babysitter who allegedly left a six-month-old baby alone in a flat which later caught fire and caused him to suffer 70 per cent burns on his body has been detained by the police.

The 48-year-old woman was picked up by the police in Bagan Dalam.

North Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Abd Rahman Ibrahim said the woman would be remanded until today pending investigations under Section 31 (1) of the Child Act.

He said police arrested her on Monday, almost a week after the incident on Aug 15 when baby Y. Meysshvin, who was left alone in the flat in Mak Mandin, suffered burns from the blaze at about 10.30am that day.

The babysitter had apparently left the baby to go to the market.

Meysshvin was saved by neighbour J.P. Supermaniam, 60, who risked his life by rushing into the burning unit.

Meysshvin's mother Ranjeeta Kaur, 28, said the condition of her baby, who is currently warded at the Penang Hospital's paediatric intensive care unit, was improving slightly with his kidneys and liver getting better.

"However, we're worried because some of his fingers and toes are turning black and doctors also said they would check his lungs for any inflammation," she said.

Ranjeeta said that doctors would conduct surgery on his skin next week if his condition continued to improve.

In another case, George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng said an ambulance driver was being remanded until tomorrow for investigation into the case of a businessman who was assaulted by about 10 men after a car accident in Jalan Tanjong Tokong at about 10.15am on Sunday.

He said investigation papers would be submitted with recommendations for the 33-year-old suspect to be charged under Section 427 and Section 506 of the Penal Code for committing mischief and damage, and criminal intimidation.

It was reported yesterday that a 39-year-old businessman was beaten and his car windows smashed while he was on his way to lodge a police report following the accident.