Midwife's Clinic in Sleman, Origin of 11 Evacuated Babies, Still Operating
The midwife’s clinic from which 11 babies were evacuated in Sleman, Yogyakarta, was observed still operating or conducting practices on Tuesday afternoon (12/5).
This independent midwife practice, initialled ORP, is located in Modinan, Banyuraden, Gamping, Sleman. The site is identified as the birthplace and temporary care location for the 11 babies evacuated last week from a house owned by the midwife’s parents in Hargobinangun, Pakem, Sleman.
Based on observations, two staff members were on duty. Outside, a man and a woman were seen waiting on benches.
One female staff member stated that ORP was present at the location, although she was busy and unavailable for comment.
Marwoto, a local resident, said ORP had rented his building for about a year. Marwoto only knew that ORP rented the western part of his house for midwifery practice or deliveries.
Marwoto was unaware that ORP’s business also included childcare services. As far as he knew, there were only babies not yet collected by their mothers.
“It’s said they haven’t been picked up by the ones who gave birth, that’s all I know. But clearly I don’t know, the important thing is there’s care before they’re picked up, that’s what I heard,” said the 60-year-old man.
Marwoto admitted he was shocked by the circulating news about the childcare services, including allegations of care for children from out-of-wedlock relationships. Especially when police officers came to his place.
According to him, ORP and her practice had been normal all along, with no suspicious activities.
“Her family is good, they often do Friday Blessing programmes and such, good on a personal level,” he explained.
Previously, 11 babies were evacuated by police from a house in Padukuhan Randu Wonokerso, Hargobinangun, Pakem, Sleman.
That house was the residence of the midwife who assisted in the deliveries of those dozen babies over the past five months.
According to detikJogja on Monday (11/5), Sleman Police Resort Criminal Investigation Head AKP Mateus Wiwit Kustiyadi explained that initially, officers received odd information regarding the presence of dozens of babies at the house. The babies were cared for by three people.
Wiwit explained that the 11 babies were evacuated on Friday afternoon (8/5) along with relevant agencies. Three babies were treated at hospital, two were taken by parents, while the remaining six were evacuated by the Sleman Social Services.
The ages of the evacuated babies ranged from one to ten months. The three babies briefly treated at hospital suffered from congenital heart disease, hernia, and jaundice. Two of them are now reported to have improved.
Wiwit explained that the 11 babies were born in the Banyuraden, Gamping area, assisted by midwife ORP. It started with one mother giving birth at the midwife and then leaving the baby.
Police revealed that the majority of the 11 evacuated babies were children from out-of-wedlock relationships.
Wiwit said officers are still investigating the incident. Whether there are indications of neglect, child trafficking, or other criminal acts. Therefore, police have not yet named any suspects in this case.