Mother in Pamekasan Kills Own Child, Suspected Depression After Divorce

Grief has enveloped the family of a 10-year-old girl in Pamekasan. The child, identified by the initials TD, died after allegedly being abused by her biological mother, DA (31). TD was found covered in blood at her home in Karang Dalem Hamlet, Pademawu Barat Village, Pademawu District, on Monday (17/8/2026). The suspected perpetrator has been taken into custody by a joint team from Pademawu Police and the Pamekasan Police Criminal Investigation Unit.

Pamekasan Police Public Relations Head Ipda Yoni Evan Pratama confirmed the incident. Based on initial information received by police, the alleged abuse occurred at around 10.30 a.m. local time. “That is correct, the incident occurred around 10.30 a.m. this afternoon. Officers are still investigating the case,” Yoni said on Monday (17/8/2026).

Yoni revealed the family background of the suspect, who lived with her mother. “According to family statements, the suspected perpetrator divorced her husband, so from 2020 until now she has been living with her three biological children and her mother,” Yoni said.

Family members said that signs of DA’s mental disorder had reappeared two days before the tragedy. According to witnesses, DA often became angry and spoke incoherently, and several years ago she had even gone on a rampage and had to be restrained with chains. “Two days before the incident, the suspected perpetrator had shown symptoms,” Yoni said.

This was echoed by a relative of the victim, Farida, who described the suspect’s psychiatric history following the divorce. “Two years ago she relapsed, going on rampages, and was even chained at one point. That has been the case since the breakdown of her family,” Farida said.

The Pamekasan Police moved quickly to handle the legal case and the suspect’s medical examination. Although investigators are processing the case, police have confirmed that their handling will take into account the results of an official psychiatric observation.

However, police decided not to detain DA in a holding cell, instead taking her to a psychiatric hospital in Lawang for observation lasting five to ten days, in coordination with the Pamekasan Regency Social Service and Health Service. “The perpetrator is not being detained, but she has been named a suspect,” said Pamekasan Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head AKP Yoyok Hardianto on Tuesday afternoon (18/8).