East Jakarta Police Return Viral Child Scavenger to Mother in Sumedang
Jakarta — East Jakarta Metro Police (Polres Jaktim) have moved swiftly to return a child scavenger who went viral on social media to his mother’s care in Sumedang Regency, West Java.
“We have coordinated with the Sumedang Police Chief and local Social Services to ensure both children continue to receive support after returning to their family environment,” said East Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Pol Alfian Nurrizal when confirmed in Jakarta on Friday.
The child in question, F (aged 4), previously gained public attention after a video circulated widely on social media showing him collecting discarded bottles in the Pulogadung industrial area, East Jakarta. In the video, the boy was seen picking up bottles on Jalan Rawa Sumur, Jatinegara Village, Cakung District.
Following this information, Alfian along with Deputy Police Chief AKBP Achmad Akbar immediately visited the location where F was living to verify the actual conditions. Field inspections revealed that F was living with his grandmother, Tursini, at a scavenging settlement in the area. The family’s circumstances were found to be concerning. F’s father is currently undergoing legal proceedings at Bekasi Police Station, whilst his mother, Sri Sulistiyowati, has remarried and resides in Sumedang Regency, West Java.
“We are here not only as law enforcement officials, but also as part of a state with an obligation to ensure every child receives protection and a decent future,” said Alfian.
During this visit, Alfian also met with F’s younger sister, N (aged 3), and their grandmother. Police personnel provided attention and light refreshments to both children.
Alfian then communicated directly with the biological mother of both children via video call. In this conversation, Sri Sulistiyowati expressed her willingness to care for F and N in Sumedang. As a gesture of concern, East Jakarta Metro Police also provided assistance to the family, which was received directly by the grandmother.
On Thursday (12 March) in the afternoon, East Jakarta Metro Police along with Jakarta Social Services directly transported F and N to their mother’s home in Sumedang Regency using police service vehicles.
Alfian ensured that the return process for both children did not end at delivery alone. His office has also coordinated with Sumedang Police and local Social Services to provide ongoing support. This step simultaneously reaffirmed the Indonesian National Police’s commitment to protecting women and children, and to following up on every piece of information circulating in society, including that which goes viral on social media, swiftly, humanely, and in a coordinated manner.
Meanwhile, Head of the Social Service Implementation Unit for Cakung District, Dhona Susanti, stated that her office was present to ensure children’s rights remained protected through coordination among various parties.
“We from Social Services are present as an extension of the state to ensure these children receive protection and have their rights fulfilled. All processes are conducted in a coordinated manner to ensure their future remains secure,” said Dhona.