Man Who Challenged Children to Enter Freezer in Depok Faces 5 Years in Prison
A man named David, also known as Abang David, has been named a suspect after he challenged two seven-year-old boys to eat chillies and enter a freezer. David faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
He is charged under Article 80, paragraphs 1 and 2, of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, said AKBP Made Gede Oka Utama, Head of Criminal Investigation at the Depok Metro Police, on Wednesday (22/7/2026).
The incident began on Tuesday (14/5) in Cimanggis, Depok. The two victims were initially playing and then went to a stall to buy snacks. The first stall they visited was closed, so they searched for the nearest shop and eventually met David.
At around 1 p.m. local time, David asked the two victims, ‘What do you want to buy?’ One of the children, AK, replied, ‘I want to buy noodles.’ The children waited, and the noodles were soon ready, explained AKP Hendra, Head of Public Relations for the Depok Metro Police, in a statement on Monday (20/7).
While the children were eating the noodles, David issued a challenge. He dared the two boys, AK and A, to eat chillies in exchange for money. ‘Then Abang David said, ’Do you want a challenge? If you can eat the chilli, I will give you Rp10,000. If you cannot, I will put you in the freezer’,’ he stated.
Out of fear, AK ate the chilli given by David, but did not finish all of it. David then challenged the children again, saying that if they could get into the freezer, he would give them money.
David removed the items from inside the freezer and then told AK to get in. ‘The victim AK entered the freezer, and Abang David closed it and left AK inside for more than five minutes,’ he explained.
Victim A then knocked from inside the freezer, but the perpetrator did not open it. Shortly after, David opened the freezer and told AK to get inside. ‘Victim A saw that AK’s face was white and pale,’ he added.
After AK, David told A to get into the freezer together with AK. However, because they did not both fit, they came out. ‘After that, the perpetrator gave AK Rp5,000 and three Rp2,000 notes. Abang David then told AK and A, ’Don’t tell your parents, you’ve already been given money. If you tell them, I will kidnap you’,’ he said.
As a result of the incident, both victims suffered psychological distress and also sustained injuries. Police have named David a suspect. He is currently detained at the Cimanggis Police Station pending transfer to the prosecutor’s office.