Lubuklinggau, KOTABARI.COM – A shocking tragedy unfolded in the city of Lubuklinggau, South Sumatra on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. A college student with the initials HA, aged 24, was found dead under distressing circumstances, allegedly as a result of an illegal abortion in her rented accommodation on Jl. Citra Medika, Taba Jemekeh Village, Lubuklinggau East I District.
The local police have initiated an investigation into this distressing incident. According to the Lubuklinggau Police Chief, AKBP Indra Arya Yudha, this incident came to light when the victim’s younger sister, known as RZ, returned to their shared residence. RZ discovered her sibling in a feeble state, lying in a pool of blood in the living room.
RZ promptly contacted their landlady, May, and some neighbors to render assistance to the victim. Some neighbors even made an immediate call to the police. A joint team led by the Head of Criminal Investigation (Kasat Reskrim) AKP Robi Sugara, along with Iptu Jemmy Amin Gumayel, and officers from the Lubuklinggau East 1 Sub-Precinct, swiftly arrived at the scene.
During the course of the investigation and crime scene examination, a lifeless male infant with an umbilical cord was discovered inside a plastic trash box in front of the victim’s room. HA and the infant were then evacuated to RS Siti Aisyah for medical treatment. However, medical personnel declared that both had passed away before reaching the hospital.
Based on witness testimonies, it was revealed that no one was aware of HA’s pregnancy beforehand. Medical examinations also indicated that the cause of death was an illegal self-induced abortion. This act resulted in significant bleeding in the vaginal area and the amniotic sac of the infant found in the trash bin. The estimated gestational age of the infant was approximately seven months.
The case became more intricate with the discovery of WhatsApp conversations between the victim and her boyfriend. On October 9, 2023, the victim informed her boyfriend, who was located in Palembang, about her intention to terminate her pregnancy. However, her boyfriend disapproved and reminded her of the legal consequences of abortion. The boyfriend also admitted that they had been in a relationship for one year and had engaged in intimate relations during their encounters.
The victim’s family has accepted this incident as a tragedy and declined to authorize an autopsy. HA’s remains will be taken to her hometown in OKU Timur. Meanwhile, further investigations will be carried out by the authorities to unveil all the facts related to this case.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of reproductive health education and awareness, as well as the legal aspects of abortion in Indonesia. It is hoped that cases like these can foster a deeper understanding among the public about the dangers of illegal abortions and their consequences.