UGM Lecturer Serves as Advisor to Daycare Involved in Abuse
Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has confirmed that one of its active lecturers in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Cahyaningrum Dewojati, is recorded as part of the organisational structure managing Little Aresha Daycare in Yogyakarta City.
The daycare came under scrutiny following a police raid and sealing on Friday, 24 April 2026, due to allegations of assault and violence against dozens of entrusted children.
The Head of the Indonesian Language and Literature Programme at FIB UGM, Pujiharto, confirmed that Cahyaningrum, who serves as an advisor to the foundation in the daycare’s organisational structure, is a teaching staff member at the campus.
“At present, she (Cahyaningrum) is still active and holds the position of Secretary of the Master’s Programme in Indonesian Literature,” said Pujiharto when contacted on Sunday, 26 April 2026.
Cahyaningrum, he said, also teaches at various educational levels within the faculty.
Pujiharto became aware of the lecturer’s membership after her name and photo as an organisational official of the foundation circulated widely on social media following the police raid at the site.
While confirming her employment status at the campus, Pujiharto admitted he was unaware of her activities within the foundation. “Because that case is outside the academic scope of the campus,” he said.
The programme and faculty, he said, only became aware after news of the violence and neglect against dozens of children at Little Aresha emerged in the public domain.
“Indeed, upon seeing the name and photo, she is a staff member in the programme at FIB UGM. But regarding her position in that foundation, we have no references because we don’t know,” he said.
In response to this case, the university has not yet taken any steps. However, Pujiharto said that the individual will meet with the campus dean’s office early this week to provide an official explanation.
This step is being taken to ensure accurate information regarding the lecturer’s position and responsibilities in that institution. Given that the police legal process has named 13 suspects from the foundation’s management and caregivers.
“From the information I have, she is just about to meet the Dean because those people are actually outside the campus,”
“Meaning the dean’s office also wants to hear everything first, and no actions have been taken yet,” he stated.
Although the activity was conducted outside the university environment, he said, the dean’s office feels the need to obtain detailed statements. Because this issue has become a national concern.
So far, the campus side is still taking a cautious approach and awaiting the results of the meeting between the dean and the Secretary of the Master’s Programme in Indonesian Literature before determining further steps.
Meanwhile, the Yogyakarta City Police Resort has named 13 individuals as suspects in the case of alleged violence and child neglect that occurred at Little Aresha Daycare located in Umbulharjo Subdistrict.
Yogyakarta Police Chief, Commissioner General Eva Guna Pandia, said the naming was carried out after a case review on Saturday night. “There are a total of 13 suspects,” said Eva in Yogyakarta on Sunday, 26 April 2026.
The breakdown of suspects includes one foundation head, one school head, and eleven caregivers. The suspects are charged under Articles 76A to 76C in conjunction with Articles 77 to 80 of Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection for allegedly committing discriminatory acts and allowing children to be in situations of improper treatment or neglect.
She added that the police are currently still investigating the motive behind the violence, while the charged articles are closely related to criminal acts of treating children inhumanely.
Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Yogyakarta Police Resort, Commissioner Riski Adrian, explained that out of a total of 103 children registered at the facility, 53 of them have been verified as victims of violence.
All victims are toddlers aged under two years. “In conclusion, it is indeed inhumane. Because some had their legs tied, hands tied, and so on. (Victims) aged under 2 years,” said Adrian.