Infants reportedly tied up in shocking Indonesia childcare abuse case
For years, Noorman had trusted his two young children to Little Aresha, a daycare centre near his home in Indonesia’s city of Yogyakarta, known for promoting its modern facilities and engaging activities for children.
That trust was shattered last Friday when a friend urgently called him, saying police were raiding the centre and urging him to pick up his children immediately.
“We were later shown footage from the raid, and it showed children with their hands and feet bound, wearing only diapers and no clothing,” Noorman told BBC Indonesian.
The police operation exposed what authorities describe as a pattern of abuse at the facility, allegedly affecting dozens of children and sparking nationwide outrage.
Police in Yogyakarta have charged 13 individuals, including the centre’s principal, the head of the Little Aresha Foundation, and several caregivers, with multiple child protection violations.
The case has also triggered broader concerns about childcare regulation in Indonesia, where many centres are reportedly operating without proper licences.
The investigation began after a former staff member filed a complaint alleging inhumane treatment of children at the centre.
When officers raided the premises, they said they found clear signs of abuse, including children tied up and others with visible injuries.
They also discovered cramped rooms measuring about three metres wide, each reportedly holding up to 20 children, according to Rizki Adrian, head of the local police criminal investigations unit.
Out of 103 children enrolled, at least 53 are believed to have suffered physical abuse or neglect, most of them under the age of two.
Authorities detained around 30 people for questioning, with 13 later arrested on charges of abuse and neglect. Officials have confirmed that the centre was operating without a valid permit.
The facility has since been shut down and has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Local authorities have called for thorough medical and psychological assessments for the affected children, and counselling support for their families.
For parents like Noorman, the revelations have been devastating. He enrolled his daughter in 2022 when she was two, attracted by the centre’s facilities, including air-conditioned rooms, beds, meals, and play activities.
“The branding was very appealing, and the head of the foundation seemed kind and approachable,” he said.
He later enrolled his infant son as well, never suspecting any wrongdoing.
“In hindsight, we never imagined the children were being treated so badly,” he said.
There had been warning signs; his daughter once had cuts and bruises, which staff claimed occurred at home. Another parent, Budiyanto, also noticed similar injuries on his child but accepted explanations that they were caused by other children.
Parents also became concerned about their children appearing constantly hungry despite being provided with food, and some struggled with weight gain.
“It seemed odd that my child always came home hungry,” Noorman said. “We didn’t realise something was wrong.”
His son was later diagnosed with pneumonia following a medical check-up.
Now, Noorman and other parents are calling for a full investigation and strict punishment for those responsible.
“It’s inhumane. We trusted them with our children,” he said.
Many parents are also struggling with guilt. One mother, Erika Rismay, shared a viral TikTok video in which her young daughter described being tied up and having her mouth covered at the centre.
“So I wouldn’t cry. So Mummy wouldn’t hear me,” the child said.
The case has reignited public anger across Indonesia, with calls for stricter oversight of daycare centres.
It follows a similar incident in 2024 in Depok, near Jakarta, where viral footage showed toddlers being mistreated, prompting an investigation that found fewer than 20 per cent of over 100 centres were licensed.
With around 3,000 daycare centres nationwide (many unlicensed), authorities are now under pressure to enforce stricter regulations.
Yogyakarta’s mayor, Hasto Wardoyo, has pledged to inspect childcare facilities across the city and raise awareness about choosing accredited centres.
Lawmakers have also called the alleged abuse “unforgivable,” urging a thorough probe and stronger safeguards to protect children.
Public reactions have included calls for mandatory surveillance systems in daycare centres to allow parents to monitor their children remotely.
Others have stressed that childcare workers must be equipped to handle children responsibly, noting that dealing with young children’s behaviour is part of the job and not an excuse for abuse.
Source: BBC
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