Residents Discover Newborn Baby with Mouth Taped Shut in Cilegon

Residents of the Metro Cilegon housing estate in Banten discovered a newborn baby girl with her mouth taped shut on the bank of a river within the estate. The baby was also found with the umbilical cord still wrapped around her body.

The discovery occurred on Saturday (20 June) at around 7 a.m. Western Indonesia Time. The baby was found by Dewi Sita, 36, a resident of Perum Metro Grand Cendana.

Dewi initially became suspicious after hearing crying sounds from across the river. She then reported it to the local security officer.

“After checking together, a baby girl was found wrapped in a red plastic bag. The baby was still tangled in the umbilical cord and her mouth was covered with tape,” said Cilegon Police Public Relations Head AKP Sigit Dermawan on Saturday (20 June 2026).

Residents took the baby to the housing estate clinic for temporary medical care. The witness also immediately reported the incident to the local neighbourhood and community unit heads.

“Officers who received the information immediately went to the scene, filed a police report, and coordinated with the Cilegon Police Inafis team, the local community health centre, and the Cilegon City Social Services Agency for further handling,” he said.

Police are currently conducting further investigations to uncover the identity of the baby’s parents. The police are coordinating with the social services agency so that the baby can be cared for by the Cilegon City Social Services Agency, and the case is being handled by the Women and Children Protection Unit of the Cilegon Police Criminal Investigation Division.

“We urge the public, if there are any disturbances to public order, to immediately report them to the nearest police station or to the Cilegon Police Call Centre 110,” he added.