A six-year-old boy is in intensive care in Saint Petersburg after allegedly being systematically abused by his aunt. The child was admitted to Filatov Children’s Hospital on Wednesday evening with severe injuries.

The boy’s condition is serious and doctors are working to stabilize him. He suffered a brain contusion, traumatic brain injury, a ruptured spleen, a bruised lung, multiple burns, and bruises.

The 33-year-old aunt, who is the boy’s guardian, has been taken into custody. She initially claimed the child’s injuries were the result of an accident, stating he intentionally fell and hit his head after asking for a drink. However, authorities did not believe her explanation and opened a case for intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the abuse had been ongoing since the beginning of April. The aunt, who is currently on leave to care for her younger child, confessed to beating the boy as a form of punishment. She is now awaiting the selection of a preventive measure.