Stealing leads to child suicide

DEMAK, Central Java: Feeling guilty after helping himself to Rp 300,000 (US$30) of his parents' money, a 10 year old committed suicide by drinking poison in Trimulyo village, Guntur district in Demak regency on Wednesday.

A relative of the boy, Zainuri, said on Thursday the fifth grader was found gravely ill on the roadside near his school and was rushed to Tlogomulyo Hospital in Tegowanu district in Grobogan regency. He died before reaching the hospital.

In a letter found in his trouser pocket, the boy confessed being struck by guilt and deciding to end his life. His parents declined to comment about their son's death.

The father had realized the money was missing the previous week but had not accused his son of stealing. "He no longer thought about the money and was deeply saddened when he found out his son killed himself because of it," Zainuri said.

The child suicide was the fifth reported in the province since 2004. The first took place in May last year when a 12 year old set herself alight after being scolded by her mother in Brebes, Central Java. Other child suicides took place for various reasons, including the embarrassment of parents failing to pay school fees. -- JP