Father Arrested for Selling 11-Month-Old Baby on Facebook to Fund Gambling Habit

In a shocking case from West Jakarta, Indonesian authorities have arrested a man for allegedly selling his 11-month-old baby on Facebook to finance his online gambling addiction. The incident came to light when the baby’s mother, returning to their home in Tangerang, discovered that her child was missing.

The father, identified as RA, reportedly sold the baby for 15 million rupiah (approx. £730 or N693,500) without his wife’s knowledge. Upon realizing her child was gone, the mother confronted RA, who eventually confessed to the disturbing act, according to Tangerang City Metro Police Chief Zain Dwi Nugroho.

After RA admitted to the crime, his wife reported the case to local authorities. During interrogation, RA revealed that he had initially intended to sell the baby to pay off debts but ended up using the money for gambling instead.

Two buyers, HK and MO, have also been arrested for their involvement in the transaction. Authorities believe they may be connected to a larger human trafficking network. Under Indonesian law, those convicted of human trafficking face harsh penalties, including up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to 600 million rupiah (approx. £29,300).

The case has drawn widespread condemnation, with Ai Maryati, head of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission, denouncing the act. “It is alarming that RA’s financial struggles led him to engage in such actions. Selling a child not only violates basic human rights but also exacerbates issues that the state is actively fighting, such as human trafficking.”

This incident comes on the heels of another major baby trafficking bust in Depok, south of Jakarta, where eight individuals were arrested for operating an online child trade. Babies in that ring were reportedly being sold for similar amounts.