A 7-year-old boy was allegedly bound to a pole by his father and smeared in honey to attract bees as a punishment for stealing.
Police arrested his father, 34, following the incident at a village in the region of Shebin El Qanater, Egypt, reports said.
A disturbing photo shows the schoolboy, identified as Muhammad D, lying face-down on the ground with his hands tied to a wooden pole behind his back, while insects appeared to swarm on him.
The father, who has not been identified, then reportedly placed his son on the roof of their house, according to Daily Star. It is unclear how long the child was left on the roof.
According to local reports, the dad resorted to this form of punishment - a type of torture used in the ancient times - to "discipline" his son after neighbors accused him of theft.
Medics checked the boy after he was untied. They described his condition as "deplorable." Details of the child's health have not been made public.
The boy's mother told a child rescue group that her husband, a tuktuk driver, constantly beats her and their children in the city of Shebin al-Qanater, the New York Post said.
The 29-year old mother said her husband has also punished their son by not giving him food and water for long periods. She fled with her son to another community after alerting the authorities, according to the report.
The mother took pictures of the horrific scene, which are now being used as evidence against the father.
The investigation continues.
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