Parents report extreme fear and trauma in toddlers as daycare abuse claims surface in Yogyakarta.
A childcare center in Yogyakarta has been sealed by police following serious allegations that staff stripped, tied and mistreated young children under their care.
Police Action And Initial Allegations
Police sealed Little Aresha daycare on Jalan Pakel Baru Utara No 27 in Sorosutan, Umbulharjo, Kota Jogja on Friday afternoon, April 24, after receiving reports of alleged abuse of multiple children. A nearby resident said the case only surfaced that day and that local leaders, including the neighbourhood head, entered the premises while other residents were kept out as officers secured the site.
Accounts Of Stripping And Tying Children
Residents told local media they had heard claims that teachers at the daycare stripped children naked and tied them, leaving them shivering in cold rooms. One witness alleged that children were bound and unclothed inside the facility, although full details and the number of affected children remain under police investigation and have not yet been officially confirmed.
Family Testimony And Signs Of Trauma
A guardian identified as HF said her 3½ year old niece showed extreme fear after just one day at Little Aresha. On the second day, the child repeatedly refused to go, saying she did not want to enter the daycare and describing teachers as very fierce. HF said the family initially thought it was a normal adjustment issue, but the intensity and persistence of the fear soon appeared abnormal.
Social Media Reports And Deeper Fears
HF recounted that family suspicions grew after they saw online reports that a child at the daycare had allegedly been tied by staff. When HF raised this with the child’s mother, who works in Jayapura, they both recalled the niece’s intense anxiety and suspected deeper trauma. Although the family did not observe physical bruises, they concluded that the psychological impact was severe and moved the child to another school in Rejowinangun for safety and easier monitoring.
Ongoing Probe And Community Concern
As of Friday night, residents and concerned parties continued to gather near Jalan Pakel Baru Utara seeking clarification, while Little Aresha’s management had yet to issue an official response to the allegations of abuse and tying children. Police have urged parents to strengthen supervision of young children and to report any signs of mistreatment, as the investigation into the daycare’s practices and possible criminal charges continues.
The sealing of Little Aresha daycare and emerging accounts of fear and trauma among toddlers highlight urgent gaps in oversight and child protection in early education settings. For Indonesians, the case underscores the need for stricter standards, transparent investigations and support for affected families; for Singaporeans, it is a reminder that regular checks, clear complaint channels and caregiver training are vital to safeguard children in any childcare environment across the region.
Sources: Radar Jogja (2026) , Pemda Jogja (2026)
Keywords: Little Aresha Daycare, Alleged Child Abuse, Yogyakarta Police, Parental Concerns, Trauma In Children
