A university student in Yogyakarta has been reported to police for allegedly abandoning her newborn baby in Bekasi, West Java.

The student reportedly handed her baby over to a midwife who works in Kayuringin Jaya, South Bekasi, on Sunday.

Bekasi Police deputy chief Sr. Comr. Wijanarko said on Thursday that police had been tipped off by residents, who had discovered that the baby was in the care of the midwife.

“The baby was in the care of the midwife at the request of its mother, who is a friend of [the midwife's]. The baby was approximately three days old when put under the midwife’s care,” said Wijanarko, as quoted by kompas.com.

According to Wijanarko, the student promised to come back for her baby once she returned from Yogyakarta.

She only returned to Bekasi after local residents had reported her to the police. She told the police that she did not mean to abandon the baby.

“She felt ashamed, because the baby was born out of wedlock. She had given birth in her rented house in Yogyakarta,” said Wijanarko.

Police have arrested the mother, who is now being treated as a witness. (jlm)