Daycare caregiver in Aceh named as suspect

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - Police have named one of the caregivers at Baby Preneur childcare centre in Banda Aceh, identified by the initials DS (24), as a suspect in the alleged assault on a toddler.

“At present, we have named only one suspect, namely DS (24). This designation follows an investigation of DS and a case review by investigators,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation at Banda Aceh Police Resort, Commissioner Miftahuda Dizha Fezuono, in Banda Aceh on Wednesday.

Previously, CCTV footage of the alleged child abuse at Baby Preneur Daycare had gone viral on social media, capturing public attention, leading to the case being handled by police on Tuesday (28/4).

The management of Baby Preneur Daycare has also issued an apology via their Instagram account, stating that the alleged perpetrator has been dishonourably dismissed and is under police investigation.

To date, police have examined six witnesses in the alleged toddler abuse case at Baby Preneur Daycare in Banda Aceh, from caregivers to the foundation owner, culminating in the naming of the suspect.

Commissioner Dhiza stated that the case review is still ongoing to determine if there are other perpetrators involved in the case, as well as the possibility of similar incidents there.

“The further investigation is not yet complete; there is a possibility of other incidents and suspected perpetrators. If there are additional suspects, we will inform the public,” he said.

Commissioner Dhiza explained that the suspect will be charged with the criminal offence of assaulting a minor as stipulated in Article 77B in conjunction with Article 76B in conjunction with Article 80 Paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 76C of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 35 of 2014 on amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 on Child Protection.

“And or Article 466 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code with a penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rp72 million,” Commissioner Dhiza added.