Viral Four-Year-Old Scavenging in Cakung: Father Imprisoned, Mother Remarried

Jakarta — A video circulating on social media showed a young child scavenging for discarded bottles in the Cakung district of East Jakarta. The video, posted on Instagram account @bekasikinian, depicted a small boy wearing a white shirt carrying a sack and approaching the person filming, who was reportedly a truck driver.

In the video conversation, the child explained that he was living with his grandmother in Cakung after his father had been imprisoned.

“My father is in prison,” the child responded.

“In prison? And you’re looking for bottles?” asked the person filming.

“Yes. My mother remarried,” the child answered.

East Jakarta Metro Police Commander Alfian Nurrizal identified the viral child as F, aged four years old. “F is known to live with his grandmother Tursini at a scavenging site. He scavenges to help his grandmother, who also works as a scavenger,” Alfian said when confirmed on Thursday (12/3/2026).

Alfian revealed that F’s father is currently undergoing legal proceedings at Bekasi Police Station, whilst F’s mother has remarried and is living in Subang, West Java. Police subsequently conducted direct communication with the children’s biological mother via video call.

“During that conversation, F’s mother expressed her willingness to resume custody of both children in Sumedang,” he said.

Alfian assured that his unit had provided assistance and coordinated with the family and Jakarta’s Social Services Department regarding the child’s handling, including signing the child transfer report.

“That afternoon, East Jakarta Metro Police, together with Jakarta’s Social Services Department, directly transported Fikri and Noval to their mother’s home in Sumedang Regency using police service vehicles,” he explained.

Alfian ensured that the child’s repatriation did not end with the transfer but would continue to be monitored through coordination with relevant parties.