Sullay Fofanah, a 5-year-old boy of Masorie Village in Waterloo has received serious burns on both hands after he was accused by his aunt of stealing rice in the morning.

According to the Waterloo Police Division, the young boy was punished by his 42-year-old aunt Kadiatu Sesay, a petty trader.

Police said the suspect asked the young boy to put down a hot pot off the fire as a form of punishment for stealing the rice. They said, as a result, the boy received severe burns on both palms.

Police investigation revealed that the aunt kept the boy indoors after the incident secretly administering first aid to cure the burns.

After the information leaked out, the aunt is in police custody with young Sullay taken to Don Bosco Homes for protective care.