8-Month-Old Baby Missing for Three Weeks Returned to Mother at Jambi Regional Police Headquarters
Young mother Pemi Sri Rohani was seen beaming with joy as she stood before the glass doors of the Main Lobby of the Jambi Regional Police Headquarters on Wednesday afternoon (29/7).
Witnessed by Jambi Regional Police Chief Inspector General Krisno H Siregar, Pemi welcomed back her beloved eight-month-old daughter GIA, who had been missing from the custody of the head of the Batanghari Regency Women and Children Protection Unit (UPTD PPA), Neneng, at the Jambi Regional Police Headquarters.
“Alhamdulillah, I am overjoyed that my child has returned. I am grateful to the Jambi Regional Police Chief, the Batanghari Police Chief, the Regent of Batanghari and all parties who helped facilitate this,” said Pemi briefly, after receiving congratulations from the Jambi Regional Police Chief Krisno.
In addition to dozens of journalists, the handover of the baby girl, the child of Pemi Sri Rohani and Teddy Hidayat, on Wednesday afternoon was witnessed by Jambi Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Benny Ali, Member of the House of Representatives for the Jambi electoral district Rocky Candra (Commission XII), and the Regent of Batanghari Mhd Fadhil Arief.
Before the baby was handed over from the head of the Batanghari UPTD PPA to her biological mother Pemi, Regional Police Chief Krisno H Siregar told journalists that the infant GIA had been reported missing by her mother to the Batanghari Police, on suspicion of being a victim of human trafficking (TPPO).
“Thank God, we managed to find her in good health, and today we facilitated her return to her biological mother,” said Krisno.
Krisno noted that, in addition to the hard work and humane, persuasive approach undertaken by personnel of the Batanghari Police, the successful return of baby GIA would not have been possible without the support and synergy of many parties.
In particular, assistance from the Batanghari Regency Local Government through the Women and Children Protection Unit (UPTD PPA), as well as support from several leaders of the Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) indigenous community around Bukit 12 National Park in Batanghari Regency.
“This is not the first such incident. The National Police must prioritise negotiation and law enforcement based on the principle of ultimum remedium. What matters most is that the victim is saved!” he said.
Meanwhile, regarding the suspected human trafficking case that caused baby GIA to go missing from her mother’s arms, Krisno said it was still under investigation. The case has now been taken over by the Jambi Regional Police through investigators of the Women and Children Services Sub-Directorate (PPA) of the General Crimes Directorate of the Jambi Regional Police.
Krisno assured that the alleged human trafficking crime, valued at Rp20 million, would be processed legally in a professional, transparent and accountable manner. As of Wednesday, according to Krisno, eight witnesses had been examined.
Meanwhile, Member of the House of Representatives Rocky Chandra expressed appreciation for the swift action taken by the Jambi Regional Police and their staff in the effort to rescue and return baby GIA to her mother Pemi.
Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations Chief Commissioner Erlan Munaji urged the public not to speculate about the suspected human trafficking case currently being handled.
“Give the investigators your trust to work professionally. Anyone proven to have committed a criminal act will be processed in accordance with applicable legal provisions. And it must be remembered that the interests and future of the victim are our primary concern,” he asserted.