The parents of a Japanese boy abandoned in a bear-infested forest as punishment could face abuse charges for the trauma he endured.
Police in Hokkaido have written to child services about possible psychological abuse after Yamato Tanooka was found six days after he was left in the forest by his family, Japanese media reported.
His father Takayuki Tanooka, who publicly apologised for his actions, now faces the prospect of legal action, it was reported.
The pair have received a torrent of abuse for their behaviour since news of their son’s ordeal became public.
Yamato was discovered on Friday by a soldier in an abandoned military hut where he managed to find shelter after he walked for three miles through the mountains.
His first words after he confirmed his identity were “I’m hungry”.
The boy was ordered out of his parents car on May 28 as punishment for throwing stones during a family trip.
Kyodo news agency quoted sources that said Yamato cried so much after he was left at the side of the road that he lost his sense of direction.
He reportedly began walking in the opposite direction of his parents’ car before he made his way to the hut about three miles away.
Doctors said the boy was “surprisingly well and calm” considering he had been on his own for almost a week.
Japanese media reported he lost 2kg and was suffering from mild dehydration when he was discovered.
