Reasons why siblings in Kendal have been drinking well water for a month next to their mother's corpse, weak and not eating

, -A heartbreaking story struck a family in Dukuh Somopuro RT 7 RW 7, Bebengan Village, Boja District, Kendal Regency, Central Java, after siblings were found weak next to their mother's corpse on Saturday (1/11/2025).

For almost a month, siblings named Putri Setia Gita Pratiwi (23) and Intan Ayu Sulistyowati (17) only drank boiled well water and never ate anything.

The situation lasted from October until early November, when the residents found the body of Setianingsih (51), the aunt of the siblings, in the room.

Even more heartbreaking, Putri and Intan, who were weak from hunger inside the house, also did not know that their mother had died.

According to the residents' statement, Setianingsih's house was locked from the inside and blocked using a chair.

Village Head of Bebengan, Wastoni said, Setianingsih is known as a person who is easy to get along with and active in village activities.

However, in recent days, Wastoni has noticed a different atmosphere from his two children, and Setianingsih has started to rarely leave the house.

"Since the family is seen as a capable person by the community, because usually once a month they buy one cartload of food ingredients brought home," said Wastoni when met on Monday (11/3/2025) afternoon.

After several days, Wastoni received a report from the community that Setianingsih had died in a decomposed condition.

The incident was revealed after residents smelled a foul odor coming from inside the house.

Residents also saw a swarm of flies near the glass window of the house.

When about to enter, the house door was locked and blocked with a chair.

After being opened slowly, the residents then asked Putri to see her mother, who was suspected to be sick.

"Asked by the residents, where is her mother. Then it was answered that she is inside, but when looked at, it was found that Mrs. Setianingsih had already died and decomposed," explained Wastoni.

Wastoni immediately called the police and residents to evacuate the body.

After being evacuated, the two children of Setianingsih are now being treated at RSI Boja Kendal with a weak condition due to malnutrition.

"I immediately called the police, and it was crowded," added Wastoni.

One month only drinking boiled well water

Found at RSI Boja, Putri said her family only consumed plain water since October 4th until Setianingsih was found dead.

Putri said that her neighbor also didn't know the condition of the house during that period.

"Drinking boiled white water using the stove until the mother died. The neighbors didn't know, they just thought it was November 1st. My sister and I drank the water," said Putri.

Reasons for Only Drinking Water

According to Putri's statement, the reason they only drank water and did not ask for help from neighbors was because they were forbidden by their mother, Setianingsih.

Setianingsih asked her children to hide their condition or difficulties for fear of troubling the neighbors.

"Didn't tell the neighbors, mom doesn't allow it, and we have to obey mom. Because we don't want to bother the neighbors," said Putri.

The daughter said that her father had passed away earlier in 2017 in Kalimantan.

Since then, Putri and her family, who originally lived in Semarang, moved to Boja Kendal in 2019.

"My mother in Semarang doesn't work, just cooks and helps Budhe. If the father has already passed away," she said.

Until now, her daughter and younger sister Intan Ayu Sulistyowati are still receiving treatment at RSI Boja Kendal.

Mental Health Issues Allegations

Doctor at Muhammadiyah Boja Hospital, Arfa Bima Firizqina revealed that Putri and Intan are experiencing psychological problems.

"Yes, both of them have a deficiency in psychological awareness," he said when met at RS Muhammadiyah Boja Kendal on Monday (11/3/2025) afternoon.

Doctor Arfa revealed that when they were first brought to Muhammadiyah Boja Hospital, the siblings were in a weak condition.

Her sister, Intan, was already unconscious. Meanwhile, Putri was still conscious but lay weakly.

After the initial examination, both victims did not experience low sugar levels, although they had not eaten rice for almost a month.

"there are no signs of low sugar but they suffered from dehydration, and the medical team found both patients weak when they were brought here yesterday Saturday," said Arfa.

Arfa explained that their team is still experiencing difficulties in the assessment process because Putri's statements keep changing, while Intan has difficulty speaking.

"Time to analyze, the answer is always changing," added Arfa.

Currently, they are still focusing on restoring the physical condition of the two siblings, who are now left without their mother.

On the other hand, they will continue to monitor their mental condition and coordinate with psychiatrists.

"Kept until here for physical recovery for about a week. But for the mental aspect, we will consult another doctor in the field," added Arfa.

Village Head Denies Social Media Accusations

After Setianingsih's body was found, the incident experienced by the siblings went viral on social media.

Not a few netizens questioned the closeness of neighbors or village officials due to their ignorance of the incident.

"Social media was once lively with rumors that the neighbors were indifferent and so on," said Bebengan Village Head, Wastoni, Monday (3/11/2025).

Wastoni denied that the neighbors or village officials ignored the condition of Setianingsih's family.

"That's not true if we don't care. Even the process of handling the corpse, we purify it as it should be," he said.

According to Wastoni, Putri once bought bread worth Rp100,000 at a nearby convenience store on Friday (10/3/2025).

The rice, said Wastoni, would be eaten together with her brother and mother. However, after that, the neighbors no longer saw Putri leave the house again.

Setianingsih's house is always closed, with the lights on during the night.

"His mother said she didn't want to eat anymore, but he kept buying her bread, and a neighbor saw it," explained Wastoni.

"Residents knew that the family of Mrs. Setianingsih were wealthy, but since then they never left the house. The light was on at night, and after 9 PM, the light was turned off again," he said.

Meanwhile, Kendal Regency Head Dyah Kartika Permanasari urged village officials to pay more attention to residents who begin to show signs of change in socializing.

Dyah requested that the village government strengthen supervision at every level of the community.

"Advice and input, especially from the village apparatus of RT RW if there are residents who isolate themselves, the community must have empathy. Do not let it go unnoticed," he said.

(TribunJateng.com/TribunJateng.com)

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