The police have detained a couple to facilitate investigations into the death of a six-year-old boy who was believed to have been abused.

The victim's 31-year-old mother and 35-year-old taxi driver step-father were picked up from their home in Ampang about 5.30pm yesterday.

The deceased was the fourth of five siblings.

Selangor CID chief Datuk Mohd Adnan Abdullah said today, the couple was nabbed following a police report lodged by the step-father.

"The step-father was informed by the woman that the victim became unconscious about 1pm yesterday before he was warded at the Ampang Hospital.

"The doctor confirmed that the victim had died. There were bruises on his body, legs and hands," he said.

Meanwhile, the victim's father, in his 30s, when met at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary here, said he left it to the police to investigate the matter.