A viral social media post alleging the abduction of an 8-year-old boy in Bali sparked public alarm and a swift police response this week, but authorities have confirmed the incident was a misunderstanding: the child was with his biological father.
Viral Panic Over Child ‘Disappearance’
The case began on 21 April in Serangan Village, South Denpasar, when a boy identified by the initials SEB reportedly vanished after stepping outside his home to collect a food delivery.
A café employee in the area told police they had seen a tall foreign-looking man carrying the child and placing him into a white car before driving away — a detail that fueled suspicions of a kidnapping.
Fearing the worst, SEB’s family contacted the police and turned to social media to seek help. A widely shared Instagram post about the missing child helped bring the matter into the public eye, quickly garnering attention from both concerned residents and the authorities.
Police Investigation Reveals Family Matter
Responding to the report, officers from Denpasar’s Criminal Investigation Unit conducted a site inspection and reviewed CCTV footage.
Their findings turned the case on its head: SEB had not been kidnapped. Instead, he was in the company of his biological father, BJWB.
Police spokesperson AKP I Ketut Sukadi confirmed that the pair had flown together to South Tangerang later that same evening aboard a Super Air Jet flight at 20.00 WITA. Video evidence and flight records corroborated this timeline.
“The child is in good condition and currently with his father,” Sukadi said in a statement. “Communication has been established with the father, who has expressed willingness to coordinate a meeting with the child’s mother, provided both parties are in agreement.”
Ongoing Mediation Between Parents
While the initial panic has subsided, police said they are continuing to mediate between the parents to resolve the situation amicably. There was no indication of foul play, and no charges have been filed as of now.
The incident underscores how quickly misinformation can spread online — and how crucial thorough investigation remains when handling emotionally charged reports involving children.
