A Saudi man was arrested in a village in Jazan for torturing his eight-year-old son using chemicals, local media said.

Local media reported that the boy, named Ali, rushed to his Yemeni mother’s house in a popular district in Sabya screaming in agony from his burning scalp.

The woman, who was divorced from the boy’s father, rushed her son to Jazan General Hospital, where tests showed that the boy had Clorox bleach poured onto his head.

The incident was immediately reported to the police.

“We have assigned an investigation and criminal research team to the case,” said Maj. Adulrahman Al-Zahrani, Jazan assistant police spokesman.

The suspect, 49, has been transferred to the Jazan police center for further investigation, he said.

Ali told sabq.org that his father, who was reportedly drunk at the time, had tried to force him and his brother to steal, but the boy refused, saying it was a sin, prompting the father to attack him with a broomstick, and later, with the bleach.

Ali’s mother said she had seven sons from her ex-husband, who she said used to train them to beg and steal.

“He would hit them if they disobeyed his orders,” she said.

“He also refused to include them in the family ID or have them circumcised. I have not been able to find anyone to support me since I am not Saudi.”

Hadi Al-Yami, general supervisor of Asir’s human rights commission, meanwhile, has confirmed that the case is being investigated.

“A field delegation from the commission will follow up on the case and ensure that the man is punished for his crime,” he said. “We will also ensure that the boy remains safe.”

People on social media websites called him a "monster."