BALINEWSID.COM, PALEMBANG — A video allegedly showing a toddler being abused in Palembang, South Sumatra, has gone viral on social media, prompting police to investigate and arrest a 37-year-old woman identified by the initials NS.

NS was arrested by officers from the South Sumatra Police’s Directorate for Women and Child Protection and the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children (Ditreskrim PPA and PPO) on Friday (Sept. 18, 2026), at around 3:10 p.m. local time in the Kemuning area on Jalan R. Sukamto, Palembang.

The victim, identified by the initials FR, is a 2-year-11-month-old toddler who was under NS’s care. The alleged abuse reportedly occurred at a house in the Talang Jambe area of Sukarami district, Palembang.

The case came to light after NS contacted the victim’s mother and admitted to hitting FR after the child refused to eat. Shortly afterward, the victim’s family received a video recording allegedly showing the abuse.

In the recording, the toddler appears to be hit and slapped repeatedly, causing the child to cry. The family subsequently reported the incident to the South Sumatra Police’s Integrated Police Service Center (SPKT).

South Sumatra Police Director of Women and Child Protection and Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children, Police Commissioner Anes Purwanti, said investigators immediately launched an inquiry after receiving information about the viral video.

“As soon as the video went viral, our team immediately moved to investigate and managed to arrest the suspect within a short time. We will not tolerate any form of violence against children,” Anes said on Saturday (Sept. 19, 2026).

After NS was taken into custody, investigators compared her physical characteristics with those of the woman seen in the video. During an initial examination, NS allegedly admitted to the act.

Police also seized clothing belonging to the suspect and the victim, along with a storage device containing the video recording of the alleged abuse, Anes said.

NS faces charges under Article 80 of Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection.

Meanwhile, South Sumatra Police spokesperson Police Commissioner Nandang Mu’min Wijaya urged members of the public to immediately report any suspected cases of violence against children.

“We will take firm action against any form of crime that threatens the safety of children,” Nandang said.