Police in Indonesia have arrested 13 suspects, all women, over allegations of child abuse and neglect at the Little Aresha daycare centre in Yogyakarta, a case that has triggered national outrage and renewed scrutiny of the country’s fast-growing daycare sector. Police say dozens of children aged 2 to 6 were physically mistreated at the facility, which was operating without the licences required by law.
The allegations emerged after parents noticed alarming changes in their children’s behavior. One father, Aldewa Anjasmara Halip, said his three-year-old daughter became hysterical whenever it was time to go to daycare, which he initially assumed was normal reluctance. Police later said she was among many children harmed at the centre.
Investigators said that during an April raid, they found most of the more than 100 children enrolled at the daycare with their hands and feet tied. Some were reportedly tethered to doors. Authorities also said caregivers admitted using physical punishment, including slapping and pinching, to make children “more manageable.” One police investigator said the practice was widespread and routine at the centre.
The suspects include the owner, principal, and caregivers. Indonesian police have not publicly identified them, and none has commented on the allegations. Reuters said it was unable to contact the suspects or identify their lawyers. The daycare’s registered phone number was no longer active.
The case has become one of the most serious alleged child abuse incidents in Indonesia in recent years, drawing strong condemnation from child rights groups, lawmakers, and the public. It has also led to vandalism at the daycare site, where profanities were spray-painted on the walls and windows after the allegations became public.
Officials say the daycare was overcrowded and understaffed. The facility, located in a house with five rooms, reportedly had as many as 30 children in one small 3-by-3-metre room. Caregivers were not trained, and each reportedly looked after around 10 children, far above government staffing guidelines, which recommend one caregiver for every four children.
The centre charged up to 1 million rupiah, or about $55.74, per month, in a city where average monthly income is about 3.2 million rupiah. It had been operating since 2018 and advertised care for children as young as two months old.
Indonesia’s Ministry for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection has called for stronger regulation, better coordination between central and regional authorities, and a national review of daycare standards. Officials say all daycare centres should register and meet child protection requirements, as many currently operate under different frameworks or without any formal registration.
Child protection authorities also want routine inspections, higher qualification standards for caregivers, and better facilities. Police expect to finish their investigation by late June, after which the case will be sent to prosecutors for possible charges. Crimes involving child abuse and neglect in Indonesia can carry prison terms of up to five years and fines, while operating without a proper education licence can lead to a longer sentence.
