KUPANG |BUSERKOTA.Com— A quiet morning in eastern Indonesia turned into the beginning of an intensive criminal investigation after the discovery of a newborn baby’s body buried in an improper manner near the Haekrit Dam in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Less than forty-eight hours later, a joint operation involving the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (Polda NTT) and the Belu Police Criminal Investigation Unit led to the arrest of two young suspects in Kupang City, marking a swift breakthrough in a case that has drawn public attention across the province.
The suspects, identified by their initials DSA (20), a university student from Berdao, Atambua Barat District, and IAD (21), a private-sector employee from Manleten Village, Tasifeto Timur District, Belu Regency, were apprehended on Friday, July 17, 2026, at approximately 11:30 p.m. local time in a boarding house located in Kelapa Lima, Kupang.
Investigators launched the inquiry on Thursday, July 16, immediately after forensic officers processed the crime scene at Haekrit Dam following reports of the baby’s body being discovered.
According to investigators, a purchase receipt for antiseptic became the first critical clue. Detectives traced the receipt to a pharmacy, reviewed closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, and successfully identified a multipurpose vehicle bearing registration number DH 5212 LD, reportedly purchased by Dwi Salsa Aprillia.
The investigation quickly expanded to Kupang after police established the suspects’ whereabouts. Officers from the Regional Police’s Rapid Response Unit (URC), working alongside the Belu Police URC, located both the vehicle and the suspects at a boarding house before carrying out the arrest.
During preliminary questioning, investigators said both suspects admitted their involvement in the incident and expressed their willingness to accept legal responsibility. Police also stated that the pregnancy and childbirth had never been disclosed to either family’s parents.
“This successful operation reflects the professionalism, dedication, and strong coordination between the Belu Police URC and the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police URC during the investigation,” said Senior Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra, Head of Public Relations for the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police, speaking on behalf of Regional Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Darmoko.
Authorities credited the rapid resolution of the case to meticulous investigative work, combining conventional detective methods with digital evidence recovered from surveillance cameras.
Beyond its criminal dimension, the case has also reignited broader conversations in Indonesia regarding hidden pregnancies, family communication, mental health support, and the importance of accessible reproductive health education for young adults. Legal accountability remains central to the investigation, while social observers note that prevention requires both community awareness and stronger family engagement.
As the legal process continues, the tragedy stands as a sobering reminder that silence can sometimes carry consequences far beyond imagination. In the end, justice may establish accountability, but only compassion, education, and open dialogue can help prevent similar tragedies from unfolding again.
