Mother Who Discarded Baby in Batam's Pelita Tunnel Detained

HYL, 23, the biological mother of a baby found dead in the Pelita Tunnel area, Lubuk Baja District, Batam, is now officially in custody at the Lubuk Baja Police station. The detention took place after the suspect underwent intensive medical treatment for her physical condition, which had been critical following the birth. Prior to being placed in a cell, HYL was taken to the Kepri Regional Police’s Bhayangkara Hospital. Lubuk Baja Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head, Iptu Gihon Lumban Raja, revealed that when she was taken into custody, HYL was very weak because part of the placenta had been retained in her womb. ‘From the doctor’s examination, it was found that the placenta was still inside. Because of that, she had to undergo medical procedures, including a curettage,’ Iptu Gihon said on Tuesday (7/7/2026). Although she is now at the Lubuk Baja Police headquarters, HYL’s health has not fully recovered, so the in-depth examination of the suspect is being conducted gradually. According to HYL’s confession to investigators, she gave birth to the baby boy alone at her home on Friday (26/6) afternoon. HYL stated she experienced severe stomach pain and was forced to prostrate until the birth occurred without any medical assistance. Lubuk Baja Police Chief, Commissioner Dennie Langie, explained that HYL had tried to contact her boyfriend, BDM, shortly before giving birth. However, the phone call went unanswered. ‘After giving birth, HYL said she lost consciousness for more than 30 minutes. When she regained consciousness, she saw the baby was already at her feet with the umbilical cord still attached. According to her statement, the baby was already dead,’ Dennie explained. Confused and panicked about finding a burial place, HYL decided to wrap the baby’s body in a rice sack. On Saturday (27/6) evening, she disposed of the body in a drainage channel in the Pelita Tunnel area. The entire process was carried out without her boyfriend’s knowledge. According to police, BDM only returned home on Saturday morning around 6 a.m. in a drunken state. The case came to light on Sunday (28/6) afternoon when a construction worker found a suspicious sack in a ditch while trying to move a water gallon. The discovery of the baby’s head inside the sack was immediately reported to the authorities. Police have secured a number of pieces of evidence and are examining several witnesses. While HYL has been named a suspect, her boyfriend, with the initials BDM, remains a witness. Police are continuing to investigate the motive behind the suspect’s desperate act of discarding her own child.