A man mercilessly beat up his four-year-old daughter and kept her in a refrigerator for a while in Narayanapuram area in East Godavari district, police said.
The man, identified as Basha, was thrashed by his neighbours for his act before police took him into custody. They also rescued the girl.
The victim, who received severe injuries, was admitted to Government General Hospital, where her condition was stated to be stable, they added.
While it was not immediately known what prompted Basha, a labourer, to thrash his daughter, police said he would often quarrel with his wife and suspected her character.
"We are yet to ascertain the reason for attack on the girl. We suspect some family dispute," they said, adding further inquiry was on.
Basha has been booked under IPC Section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means).