Viral Case of Missing Student in Jogja: Placed Under Protection After Being Found

A secondary school student in Yogyakarta was reported missing by her parents, and the news quickly spread on social media. The student was actually found a day after the announcement circulated, but she chose not to return home, with the reasons later revealed. The news began to spread after it was posted by the Instagram account @merapi_uncover on Thursday (16/4). The post contained the parents’ account of their child leaving school after being picked up by a car. “Please help.. I lost my child since morning when she was taken to school, but around that time she left school, seen on CCTV getting into a car that was visible on CCTV but the licence plate number was not clear.. characteristics have been fully reported,” read the caption in the post as seen by detikJogja on Saturday (18/4/2026). The police, who also received the report, moved quickly to search for the student’s whereabouts. On Friday (17/4), the police confirmed that the student had been found. Ps Kasi Humas Polresta Jogja, Ipda Anton Budi Susilo, said that the whereabouts of the student with initials NA (16) were found through coordination between his side and Polresta Sleman. However, he did not disclose where NA was found or where she went. “We have successfully found the victim in good health; the victim has already met with her parents,” Anton explained when contacted today. “The victim’s motive for leaving home is under investigation. Since she is still a child and to restore her psychology, the report is on hold for now,” Anton added when asked about the location where NA went during her disappearance. After reuniting with her parents, Anton said, NA instead chose to be placed in a child protection institution rather than returning to her parents’ home. “Based on psychological considerations for the victim, the child and women’s protection agency (RDU) has requested all parties and at the victim’s personal request, the victim is currently under the supervision and protection of RDU DIY,” Anton concluded.