7-Year-Old Boy Reported Missing in East Kutai Found Dead; Suspect Arrested
A joint task force comprising the East Kalimantan Regional Police (Polda Kaltim) Criminal Investigation Unit, the East Kutai Police, and the North Sangatta Police Sub-district has discovered the body of 7-year-old Royyan Prasetyo. The child was found dead in the bushes near the Al-Faruq Bukit Pelangi Grand Mosque in Sangatta, East Kutai, and is suspected to be a victim of murder.
Previously, the victim’s parents had reported him missing to the North Sangatta Police on Monday (1 June). At the time, rumours had circulated suggesting the boy had been kidnapped by unknown individuals for ransom.
The East Kutai Police Chief, AKBP Fauzan Arianto, through the East Kutai Police Public Relations Officer, AIPTU Wahyu Winarko, confirmed on Wednesday (3 June) that the victim’s body was found and suspected to have been murdered. The primary suspect, a man, has also been successfully apprehended by the joint team. The suspect denied that the child was a victim of kidnapping.
“It was not a kidnapping victim, but a victim of the deprivation of a child’s rights. The victim was found by a joint team consisting of the East Kalimantan Regional Police, East Kutai Police, and North Sangatta Police,” he stated.
The suspect was arrested at Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman (SAMS) Sepinggan International Airport in Balikpapan. The suspect intended to flee but was intercepted by officers.
“The police are currently interrogating the suspect to determine the motive behind the murder. It could be motivated by revenge or a dispute involving the perpetrator’s parents,” he added.
Following the arrest, the suspect has been taken to the East Kalimantan Regional Police headquarters for further investigation. Further information will be released by the regional police in due course.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and to avoid trusting or spreading unverified information, as the investigation is ongoing. The police are continuing to coordinate with the victim’s family, witnesses, and relevant parties to gather accurate information.