Local Police Name 13 Suspects in Yogyakarta Daycare Abuse

4 hours ago 1

April 26, 2026 | 03:12 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Yogyakarta City Police have named 13 suspects in alleged child abuse and neglect at a daycare facility located in the Umbulharjo District.

This was confirmed by Yogyakarta Police Chief Commissioner Eva Guna Pandia on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The suspects include the head of Little Aresha daycare, the head of the school, and eleven caregivers.

They are charged with Articles 76A to 76C in conjunction with Articles 77 to 80 of Child Protection Law Number 35 of 2014 for discriminatory behavior and leaving children in situations of mistreatment or neglect.

The police are still investigating the motive behind the violence, and the suspects are charged over alleged inhumane treatments toward children.

Of 103 children registered at the daycare, 53 of them—all under the age of two—have been verified for abuse, according to Yogyakarta City Police's Criminal Investigation Unit head Commissioner Riski Adrian.

"It was decidedly inhumane. Some of the [children] had their legs and hands tied up," said Adrian, adding that living conditions were also inadequate.

The cramped facility is forced to accommodate dozens of children, resulting in the majority of the children suffering from serious health disorders such as pneumonia.

Yogyakarta Mayor Haasto Wardoyo confirmed that the daycare was operating illegally without proper permits. Despite being marked as a foundation, the lack of an operational permit prevents the government from verifying the standard qualifications, from the kitchen to caregiving procedures.

"We will crack down on childcare institutions to ensure their safety and legality soon," he said.

The Head of the Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population Control Agency (DP3AP2) of Yogyakarta, Erlina Hidayati Sumardi, stated violence against children is intolerable, and her agency is working with relevant parties to assist the children and families facing trauma.

In addition to focusing on the recovery of the victims through cooperation with the Health Agency, Erlina will evaluate the entire licensing and supervision system for daycares across Yogyakarta to prevent recurring incidents.

Read: 7 Tips for Choosing a Safe Daycare for Children

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