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he kidnapped and abused 3-year-old boy identified only as IS was released from Koja Hospital in North Jakarta into the custody of his extended family on Monday after two months of intensive care.

According to National Commission on Child Protection (Komnas PA) chairman Arist Merdeka Sirait, IS' family had asked the commission to allow them to take care of the child.

'At first the government was expected to take temporary custody of IS as his mother was still deemed mentally unfit to take care of the boy,' Arist told reporters on Monday.

IS' mother is still undergoing intensive psychological treatment because she has shown indications of distress after seeing her son's condition.

Two months ago, IS had been found with his mother's ex-boyfriend Dadang Supriyatna, 29, at a bus station, looking distressed and as if he had been beaten up.

When IS was admitted to the hospital on March 13, he reportedly had open wounds on his chest and genitals, a broken arm and his face was black and blue.

The mother currently lives with one of her elder sisters. IS' biological father has passed away.

Komnas PA previously suggested that IS be placed in a Social Affairs Ministry child shelter in the care of a foster family, doctors and psychologists.

'However, IS' extended family asked to take custody of the child. We have agreed because we see they are capable of taking care of him. So IS' aunt, Irma Nur Cahyani, will take care of him,' he continued, adding that Komnas PA will supervise the family.

The boy's 35-year-old aunt, said she and her husband would take care of IS in their home in Bekasi, West Java.

'My husband and I will take care of IS. At the moment, he still needs outpatient care and the Jakarta government will pay for his hospital bills,' She said.

'It's time he plays with kids of his own age again. I have three kids. Hopefully, he will be happy and healthy at my home,' she said.

Meanwhile, IS' pediatrician at Koja hospital, Dewi Iriani, said that although his condition had improved, he still needed physiotherapy and routine medical checkups.

'IS' wounds have healed and his physical condition has improved,' Dewi said.

Dewi added, however, that severe oxygen deprivation to the right side of IS' brain had resulted in partial paralysis.

'Therefore, he will need physiological treatment at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital [RSCM] three times a week for six months, and the hospital must always monitor his growth even until he reaches adulthood,' she said.

According to the boy's mother, he went missing last December. She had known Dadang was responsible, but at the time she had been too afraid to go to the authorities.

She told the North Jakarta Police that when she was with Dadang, he often abused IS and had previously tried to take IS away from her.

Staff members at Koja hospital said they had found indications that IS had repeatedly been beaten, kicked and bitten as well as burned with cigarettes and an iron poker.

Dadang has been arrested by the police for alleged kidnapping and abuse.

The police said Dadang had forced IS to work as a street busker. (dwa)