KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - The boyfriend of the mother of the four-year-old boy who died in hospital on Wednesday after being allegedly abused has been detained by police.

The 26-year-old man was picked up while he was hiding in his mother's house at noon yesterday.

City CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Ku Chin Wah said that the man, who worked at a car repair shop, was remanded yesterday.

'We will record his statement under Section 302 of the Penal Code,' he said.

N. Easwaran died at the Selayang Hospital early Wednesday morning after he was allegedly abused by the man.

His mother was also remanded for seven days for questioning.

In an unrelated case, the couple whose maid claimed she was raped and abused had contacted the police through their lawyer and were expected to turn themselves in on Monday.

The 18-year-old maid was reportedly raped, abused and threatened by her employers at their home in Villa Lagenda, Batu Caves.

The maid escaped and lodged a police report on Wednesday.