'Hands And Feet Tied': 53 Toddlers Allegedly Tied Up, Injured, And Starved At Unlicensed Indonesian Daycare; Viral Post Sparks Outrage

Last Updated:April 28, 2026, 13:51 IST

A police raid in Indonesia’s Yogyakarta uncovered alleged abuse at a daycare, with 53 toddlers believed to be victims

A police raid on a daycare in Indonesia has uncovered alleged abuse involving dozens of toddlers, with at least 53 children believed to have been mistreated at a facility in Yogyakarta.

According to the BBC, authorities say the case centres around Little Aresha, a childcare facility where children, many under the age of two, were allegedly tied up and neglected. The investigation has led to the arrest of 13 people, including the centre’s principal, foundation head and caregivers.

The case came to light after a former employee filed a complaint, prompting police to raid the premises. During the operation, officers said they found children with their hands and feet tied, some showing signs of injury.

Investigators also discovered cramped rooms measuring around three metres wide, where as many as 20 children were kept at a time. Out of 103 children enrolled at the centre, at least 53 are now considered potential victims of abuse or neglect, according to police.

Parents say the revelations came as a shock. One parent, identified as Noorman, said he rushed to the centre after learning about the raid and was shown footage of children “with their hands and feet tied up… only wearing diapers."

Several parents said they had noticed unexplained injuries on their children earlier, including cuts and bruises, but were told by staff that the children had hurt themselves. Others said their children often returned home unusually hungry despite being given food during the day.

In one widely shared video, a young child described how her hands and feet had been tied and her mouth covered “so I wouldn’t cry," adding that it was done so her mother would not hear her.

Authorities have confirmed that the daycare was operating without a permit and has since been shut down. The local government has called for psychological and medical support for affected children and their families.

The case has triggered wider concerns about childcare regulation in Indonesia. According to the Indonesian Child Protection Commission, there are around 3,000 daycare centres in the country, many of which are not properly licensed.

Officials have said inspections of other facilities will be stepped up, while calls for stricter oversight continue to grow following what one lawmaker described as “truly unforgivable" allegations.

News viral 'Hands And Feet Tied': 53 Toddlers Allegedly Tied Up, Injured, And Starved At Unlicensed Indonesian Daycare; Viral Post Sparks Outrage

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