Teenage Maid killed for stealing food
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Having worked as a domestic helper for three years with a family did not make 15-year-old Mulyati wealthy. Instead, she apparently had to steal food from her employers because she was hungry.
The maid angered her employers Yeni Vera Simorangkir, 41, and her son Oslan Siahaan, 18. The two allegedly beat Mulyati to death for her transgressions.
The tragic story was uncovered by the family's private driver Fahrul, who became suspicious on Thursday about the freshly turned soil akin to a new grave in the family's backyard at Taman Giri Loka housing complex in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang.
When he asked about it, Yeni admitted that it was the grave of Mulyati and ordered Fahrul to dig it up and dispose of the body elsewhere.
Instead of obeying his employer's request, Fahrul went to the Serpong Police subprecinct and reported the case. Police officers arrived at the house and arrested the mother and son while other officers dug up the grave and found the body of the maid.
A preliminary examination by the police revealed that Mulyati had suffered severe wounds to the back of her head, her neck appeared to be broken and bruises were seen all over her body. Her body was later taken to the Tangerang General Hospital morgue.
Tangerang Police detective deputy chief, Insp. Kustanto, said on Friday that the two suspects were still being questioned at the Serpong police subprecinct.
They told police investigators that they had accidentally killed Mulyati because she had frequently stolen their food. They said they had beaten the maid with their bare hands on Wednesday afternoon, but she died later on Thursday.
When finding out that Mulyati had died, Yeni and Oslan buried her in the backyard.
Yeni and Oslan may be charged with article 339 of Criminal Code on murder. If they are convicted for that, they could be sentenced to a maximum of life in prison.
As of Friday afternoon, none of the victim's family members had arrived at the hospital to claim the body.