Little Aresha Foundation Head and Principal Face Over a Decade in Prison
The head of the foundation and the principal of the Little Aresha daycare have been charged with multiple offences in connection with an alleged abuse case at the facility, and face the threat of more than a decade in prison.
The Head of the Yogyakarta District Prosecutor’s Office, Hartono, explained that the foundation head, identified by the initials DK (51), and the principal, AP (42), have had their case files separated from those of 11 other suspects, who are the daycare caregivers.
“For the principal and the foundation head, we can also apply the National Education System Law, the Consumer Protection Law, and the Child Protection Law. This is because the caregivers were working on their initiative and under their direction,” he stated during a press conference at the Yogyakarta Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday (24/6/2026).
For the foundation head, the first charge is under Article 71 Paragraph 1 in conjunction with Article 62 Paragraph 1 of Law Number 20 of 2023 concerning the National Education System, and Article 20 letter C of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.
The second charge is under Article 62 Paragraph 1 in conjunction with Article 9 Paragraph 1 letter E of Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection, in conjunction with Article 20 letter C of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.
The third charge involves Article 77 in conjunction with Article 76A of Law Number 25 of 2014, as amended and supplemented by Law Number 17 of 2016 concerning the stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 1 of 2016 concerning the second amendment to Law Number 23 of 2002 on Child Protection, in conjunction with Article 20 C of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, and in conjunction with Article 26 Paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.
“Specifically for the child protection law, there are several articles to explain it as alternatives, namely Article 77B in conjunction with Article 76B of Law Number 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, and then Article 80 Paragraph 1 of the Child Protection Law,” he said.
“This applies to the foundation head because their role is almost the same as the principal, so these laws also apply to the principal,” Hartono continued.
Meanwhile, for the 11 caregiver suspects, Hartono stated that because they were merely carrying out instructions from the principal and the foundation head, they are only charged under the child protection law.
“For the caregivers, it is Article 77 in conjunction with Article 76A, or Article 77B in conjunction with Article 76B, or Article 80 Paragraph 1 for Article 76C of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 on Child Protection, as last amended by Law Number 17 of 2016, in conjunction with Article 20 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. That is what we are applying,” he detailed.
Meanwhile, the Head of the General Crimes Section at the Yogyakarta Prosecutor’s Office, Sigit Kristianto, added that with the multiple charges applied to the principal and the foundation head, the potential sentences will be adjusted according to those articles.
“They are charged under the National Education System Law, the Consumer Protection Law, and the Child Protection Law. Of these three laws, the National Education System Law carries 10 years, the Consumer Protection Law carries 5 years, and the Child Protection Law carries 5 years each, with some carrying 3.5 years, but those are alternative charges under the child protection law,” Sigit explained.
“The highest threat is increased by one-third, making it 13.5 years. However, we will strive for the best outcome, possibly with more charges, or we can try to make them cumulative in their entirety. We will assist as much as possible,” he concluded.