12-Year-Old Student at Wonogiri Islamic Boarding School Dies, Allegedly a Victim of Bullying

Illustration of a corpse (pixabay)

WONOGIRI - The Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) of the Wonogiri Police continues to investigate the alleged abuse case that caused a 12-year-old student from Karanganyar with the initials M to die at a pesantren in Manjung Village, Wonogiri Regency.

Based on the results of the preliminary investigation, the victim was allegedly a victim of bullying by a number of fellow students on Saturday, December 13, which decreased drastically until he was unconscious.

The victim was then rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. However, his life was not saved and he was declared dead on Monday, December 15.

Until now, the police have secured three suspected perpetrators. The three of them are still under the age of 18. However, the police confirmed that the number of suspects is still potentially increasing as the investigation progresses.

Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Wonogiri Police, Iptu Agung Sadewo, said his party was very careful in handling this case, especially regarding the protection of children's rights and privacy in accordance with the Child Protection Law.

"Later we will convey more. For the class or level of education of the suspected perpetrators, we cannot detail it now because this concerns children, of course the procedure is different," Agung said when confirmed, Thursday, December 18.

Agung emphasized that the investigation would not stop at the three children who had been secured. The police are still continuing to investigate the testimony of witnesses and matching the facts on the ground with the existing evidence.

"So far there are three children that we have secured. Whether it will increase, we are still investigating the testimony of witnesses and synchronizing with evidence. All possibilities are still open," he explained.

This case came to light after the family suspected the victim's physical condition when he was declared dead. To determine the cause of death, the police will conduct an exhumation or exhumation of the grave.

The exhumation is scheduled to take place on Friday, December 19 at the Gondang Hamlet cemetery, Wonorejo Village, Jatiyoso District, Karanganyar Regency. The process will involve the Central Java Police Medical and Health (Biddokkes) Team for the purpose of autopsy.