Indonesia Singapore Child Trafficking: What Happens to the Children Now?

This is foremost in the minds of foster parents looking after children in Singapore. They spent months in tents trying to figure out if they could keep their babies.

David, a Singaporean parent we interviewed earlier, told the BBC after the verdict that both governments wanted a decision soon.

“After the case is over, how do we move forward and what will happen to our son? Waiting, fear and anxiety, he was almost a year old,” David said, using his given name.

“I sincerely hope that both authorities can reach a decision based on the best interests of the children.

“As we make this decision, we respectfully ask that both our son and our family be victims of circumstances in this matter.”

David and his wife Ali previously told the BBC they had no idea the child they adopted from Indonesia could be smuggled. They said they did everything they could to check their own background.

During the adoption process, they provided many checks from the Singapore government, which should have identified human trafficking.

Officials in Indonesia and Singapore have not previously responded to questions about what the BBC intended to do with the babies.

We asked them again after the verdict.

“Several issues require further investigation, including the children’s legal status, the identity of their parents and the process in Singapore,” Indonesia’s foreign ministry said.

“He is committed to putting the best interests of the children first,” he reiterated.

Singapore authorities have not yet responded to our latest inquiries.