Orphanage owner gets 10 years in prison for sexual abuse

Fedina S. Sundaryani, The Jakarta Post

Chemy “Samuel” Watulingas, owner of an orphanage in the Gading Serpong housing complex in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, was found guilty of sexually abusing several children in the orphanage and has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and an additional fine (or five-month jail sentence). Watulingas was charged with using violence and intimidation to sexually abuse several female children at the orphanage. He was also found guilty of assaulting minors and negligence resulting in physical and mental pain.

The case was first brought to the attention of authorities in February when a donor of the orphanage and seven children who had fled the orphanage issued reports. Watulingas is said to have abused over 30 children since the inception of the orphanage in 2002. Prosecutors are expected to appeal the decision, as Watulingas has not received the maximum sentence under the law.