Suspected Child Abuse Daycare in Yogya Operating Without Permit

The Head of the Yogyakarta City Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning Agency (DP3AP2KB), Retnaningtyas, revealed that the Little Aresha daycare in Umbulharjo was operating illegally without permits from either the Education Department or the Licensing Department. The daycare was sealed by police on Friday, 24 April 2026, following reports of violence and abuse against dozens of entrusted children. “The daycare had no permits from either the Education Department or the Licensing Department,” said Retnaningtyas on Sunday, 26 April 2026. From the latest investigation, police recorded a total of 103 children who had been entrusted there, with 53 verified as having experienced physical and verbal violence. Retnaningtyas stated that her agency is currently compiling data on all the children and parents to provide psychological support and legal assistance. “The government’s main focus right now is to conduct a thorough data collection of all affected children and parents,” she said. The Head of the Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population Control Agency of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DP3AP2) DIY, Erlina Hidayati Sumardi, emphasised the need for a swift response to halt the operations of any daycare without permits. Erlina urged the Education Department to conduct strict re-registration and called on the public and local authorities to be more proactive in reporting childcare facilities in their areas. “This oversight is crucial to ensure that control over childcare quality functions optimally and prevents future childcare malpractices,” she said. Erlina explained that the impact of the violence experienced by the children is complex, encompassing psychological aspects, physical health, and developmental disorders, especially given the long tenure of some caregivers. “The caregivers at that daycare include some new ones, some long-term, and some who have been there for years. Naturally, the impact on the children will vary,” she said. The Yogyakarta Special Region Provincial Government has stated it will cover all costs for health and psychosocial recovery for the victims. “A comprehensive assessment process and trauma healing will be carried out collaboratively involving relevant parties to ensure long-term recovery for the children and parents who have experienced deep trauma,” she said. Legally, Erlina urged that all parties involved in the alleged violations be processed in accordance with legislation transparently and professionally. She stated that all forms of violence against children are serious violations of human rights that cannot be tolerated by anyone. The Yogyakarta City Police Resort has sealed the incident location after a raid on Friday, 24 April 2026. The Yogyakarta City Police Chief, Commissioner General Eva Guna Pandia, revealed that the case came to light from a report by a former employee who could no longer tolerate the inhumane childcare practices, where children were abused and neglected by the management. The Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Yogyakarta City Police Resort, Commissioner Police Rizky Adrian, added distressing details about the extremely inadequate accommodation conditions, namely a cramped 3x3 metre room forced to house 20 children. In addition to evidence of physical violence in the form of bruises, scratches, and binding marks, medical findings showed that the majority of victims suffered from pneumonia due to poor environmental conditions. “Currently, the police are continuing marathon examinations of the suspects to hold them accountable for the discriminatory and exploitative acts that occurred at the daycare,” he said.