Revealed! Dozens of Children from Little Aresha Jogja Daycare Suffer from Malnutrition
The Yogyakarta City Health Office (Dinkes) has disclosed the results of assessments conducted on several children who were victims at the Little Aresha Jogja daycare. The findings indicate that dozens of children show signs of malnutrition and developmental disorders.
Yogyakarta City Health Office Head, Emma Rahmi Aryani, stated that the examinations were not limited to victims recorded in police reports. Checks were also carried out on all children whose families lodged complaints with the special team of the Yogyakarta City Government handling this case.
“Yesterday, because the complaint service was opened, alumni of the daycare could also be examined,” said Emma when contacted by reporters on Monday (4/5/2026).
“Actually, there were 149 registered children yesterday, but only 131 were examined. Of those, 125 had their nutrition assessed, if I’m not mistaken, because some were delayed in waiting or something, so they haven’t been examined by the psychologist yet,” she continued.
Of the hundreds of children assessed, Emma explained that 17 showed signs of malnutrition, and another 13 had developmental issues. The developmental disorders included indications of ADHD and speech delays.
“Yesterday, there were 17 children with nutrition problems, and 13 with developmental disorders. The developmental issues included hyperactivity and autism. That’s just a preliminary diagnosis; they need further examination,” she revealed.
“It’s a tendency in that direction, so yesterday it wasn’t a definitive diagnosis, just preliminary. There were three children with speech delays, and some with hyperactivity, ADHD— that’s the term,” Emma added.
Emma explained that children showing signs of malnutrition will be followed up and assisted by the nearest community health centre with supplementary feeding (PMT). The health centres have teams comprising doctors, midwives, nutritionists, and psychologists.
Meanwhile, children indicating developmental disorders will undergo further examinations. The results will serve as a basis for subsequent therapy.
“For growth issues, if it’s still manageable, they will be followed up by the health centre’s psychologist. Yesterday, it was the health centre psychologists who conducted the examinations. If referral is needed, we will refer them,” said Emma.
According to Emma, the recovery process for children with developmental disorders will take considerable time. Each child requires different durations, with ongoing monitoring of their progress.
“The psychologist can then plan the therapy, whether it’s how, it will take at least six months, then we evaluate again. It varies, depending on the severity of their developmental disorder,” she stated.
“Out of the 13, some might have mild cases, so therapy might not take long, perhaps three months. So, all 13 still need detailed examinations because yesterday it was only at the technical implementation unit,” she concluded.
It was previously reported that police recently raided the Little Aresha daycare in Sorosutan, Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta City. The raid was related to reports of abuse against several underage children.
The case came to light following reports of abuse against several children. Yogyakarta Police Resort Criminal Investigation Head, Commissioner Riski Adrian, revealed that the children placed at the daycare were found tied up.
“But indeed, in conclusion, it was inhumane. Some had their legs tied, hands tied, and so on. That’s the general explanation I can give,” said Adrian on Saturday (25/4/2026).
Thirteen individuals have been named as suspects in the alleged child torture case at Little Aresha daycare. One of them is a foundation official.
Yogyakarta Police Resort Chief, Commissioner Eva Gunda Pandia, during a press conference, explained that the suspects are initialled DK (51), AP (42), FN (30), NF (26), Lis (34), EN (26), SRm (54), DR (32), HP (47), ZA (30), SRj (50), DO (31), and DM (28).
“The first is DK, the Foundation Chair. The second is AP, the school principal. The other eleven acted as caregivers,” Pandia clarified during the press conference at Yogyakarta Police Resort on Monday (27/4) afternoon.