Indonesian police investigate discovery of 11 babies at midwife’s house in Sleman

Indonesian police are investigating the discovery of 11 babies at a house in Sleman, Yogyakarta, after authorities evacuated the infants from the residence of a midwife who had reportedly been caring for them over the past five months.

Police and local agencies removed the babies from a house in Padukuhan Randu Wonokerso, Hargobinangun, Pakem, on 8 May 2026, according to officials cited by CNN Indonesia.

AKP Mateus Wiwit Kustiyadi, head of criminal investigations at Sleman Police, said officers became suspicious after receiving reports about the unusually large number of babies being cared for in one house by only three people.

“We certainly felt there was something unusual about the presence of 11 babies in Hargobinangun, in a house being looked after or cared for by three people,” Wiwit told reporters. 

Babies evacuated and placed under care

Authorities said three babies were taken to a regional public hospital for treatment, two were collected by women claiming to be their mothers, and six others were transferred to the Sleman Social Affairs Office for further care.

Police said the babies ranged in age from one to 10 months and included both boys and girls.

According to investigators, the babies had been delivered in Banyuraden, Gamping, with the assistance of a midwife identified by the initials ORP. Police said the arrangement began when one woman who gave birth there asked the midwife to temporarily care for her baby.

“Initially, there was only one person who gave birth there, and the mother entrusted the baby to the midwife to be cared for, possibly for humanitarian reasons and certain circumstances,” Wiwit said. 

He added that the number later increased as other mothers who gave birth at the clinic also left their babies in the midwife’s care. 

“From there it developed until the other 10 also gave birth there and entrusted their babies for reasons such as work or because they were still students,” he said. 

Police question midwife and caregivers

Police said 11 people had been questioned as part of the investigation, including the midwife ORP, a woman identified as K, and a man identified as S, who are the midwife’s parents.

Investigators said the couple helped care for the babies alongside a domestic helper.

Police also questioned six mothers who had left their babies at the house. According to investigators, the parents said they intended to retrieve the children later. 

“The parents said they had work commitments or perhaps were not yet married, so the babies were temporarily entrusted there. Most of them said they were busy and planned to take them back,” Wiwit said. 

Investigation ongoing

Authorities said the babies had initially been housed in Banyuraden before being moved to Pakem about a week ago.

Police said the investigation was continuing to determine whether any criminal offences, including neglect or child trafficking, may have occurred. No suspects have been named. 

Officials also said three babies were undergoing medical treatment, including one with a congenital heart condition and others previously suffering from jaundice and a hernia. 

According to detikJogja, the house appeared deserted when reporters visited the location, although baby clothes were still hanging outside and several nappies remained inside the property. Local residents, including neighbourhood officials, declined to comment.