Serial Rape, Murder of Street Kids Shatters Jakarta

The serial rape and murder of 14 young Jakarta street boys by a cigarette vendor has shocked a nation where such attacks are almost unheard of. The vendor—known as Babe, or father, to the boys he lured with food and a comfortable place to stay—killed boys as young as 9, in some cases sexually assaulting them after they were murdered. The killings have highlighted the plight of some 12,000 Jakarta street kids, who are often kicked out of their poverty stricken homes to make their own way.

"I have so many kids, I was happy to have someone to help and care for one of my kids," said one heartsick mom whose son was beheaded by Babe. "I never suspected that he would do anything bad." (More Jakarta stories.)