Indonesian police charge 13 in daycare abuse scandal

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 JAKARTA: The Yogyakarta police have formally charged 13 individuals in connection with a disturbing abuse scandal at the Little Aresha daycare center. The group of suspects includes the head of the foundation, the principal, and 11 carers, all of whom are accused of systemic mistreatment of children as young as six months old.

The investigation was launched after former employees and concerned parents shared harrowing CCTV footage and photographs online. The evidence allegedly showed children with their hands and feet bound with rags to prevent them from moving or ‘disturbing’ the staff. Police reports indicate that the facility was severely overcrowded, with dozens of children frequently confined to small, poorly ventilated rooms.

According to authorities, the center had been operating illegally without a proper license from the education or social affairs departments. The lack of official oversight allowed the facility to bypass mandatory safety standards and staff background checks. In many instances, children were reportedly left for hours without adequate food or hygiene, leading to several cases of severe neglect.

The 13 suspects face charges under Indonesia’s Child Protection Act, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and significant fines. The local government has since shuttered the facility and is working with child protection agencies to provide psychological counseling for the victims and their families. This case has prompted a wider call for a national audit of private daycare centers to prevent similar unlicensed operations from endangering children.

Photo Credits: AFP