Neil Bantleman, the Burlington, Ontario, Canada, man who was arrested in Indonesia on allegations of child sexual assault, is facing another 40 days behind bars.
A learning coordinator at the Jakarta International School, Bantleman was arrested in connection with allegations that some kindergarten students at the institution were sexually assaulted.
Police arrested the 45-year-old teacher on July 14, but haven’t charged him with any crime.
Neil Bantleman is a former Calgary, Alberta teacher. His wife, Tracy Bantleman, says the time since his arrest has been an "horrific nightmare."
Bantleman’s brother Guy spoke with CBC News on Sunday and said that Indonesian officials told the family that it may be more than a month until the Burlington teacher is released.
"The information we're getting out at this point is that my brother was advised on Saturday, so Day 20, that his detention would be extended for another up to 40 days,” Guy said.
“We're also learning that the police chief in Jakarta is pushing his investigative team to complete their review and forward all material and any supposed evidence on to the prosecution's office. We have to wait that process out. "
The family has been working with the Canadian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs to try to win Bantleman’s release.
“We're going to intensify our efforts, specifically with the Canadian government in Canada,” Guy said. “Diplomatic services has done a good job of supporting Neil in Indonesia. And at this point, we need to get the government and various ministries here more involved to push through."
Bantleman's arrest stemmed from a Jakarta police investigation into the alleged sexual assault of three kindergarten students at the school, local media reports said. He was detained along with teaching assistant Ferdinand Tjiong, who is Indonesian.
Last year the Vice Principal of an east Jakarta high school was named a suspect in a child sex abuse case at the school. Early this year the owner of an orphanage was arrested for allegedly abusing as many as 30 children in his care.
Then in March of this year the Jakarta Post newspaper reported that six outsourced cleaners were arrested for allegedly raping a young boy in a school bathroom. There's a good chance that the police are a bit spooked by the dramatic increase in child sex abuse in Indonesia, especially when it is high profile as in the Jakarta Int'l School.
Later on, the parents of two other students filed police reports claiming their sons were sexually assaulted by teachers. The newspaper also reported that one complainant, whose family is suing the school for US $125 million, implicated school teachers.
This is contradictory. Was it one or two parents, or maybe 3, who implicated teachers? If it is just the one who is suing the school for 125 million dollars, then the credibility of the complaint is in question.
There is a growing cottage industry in Indonesia where children are rented out by their parents, then the parent sues the pedophile and gets rich. I wouldn't be surprised if this is just a get rich quick scheme. But I hope and pray that the truth will be revealed no matter what it is.
Bantleman's passport is being held by police and his home and office were searched.
Supporters in Canada have been rallying for Bantleman’s release since he was taken to police custody. Vigils were held in Ontario and Alberta this week to raise awareness about the family’s cause.
Earlier this week, Tracy Bantleman, Neil’s wife, told CBC Hamilton that her husband appeared “scared” and “fragile” when she’s visited him in jail.
She said her husband and Tijong shares a cell with five other inmates, most of whom say they don’t know why they are being held.
"They go to sleep, they're hopeful,” Tracy said. “They wake up and they're in a dark reality."
A learning coordinator at the Jakarta International School, Bantleman was arrested in connection with allegations that some kindergarten students at the institution were sexually assaulted.
Police arrested the 45-year-old teacher on July 14, but haven’t charged him with any crime.
Neil Bantleman is a former Calgary, Alberta teacher. His wife, Tracy Bantleman, says the time since his arrest has been an "horrific nightmare."
Bantleman’s brother Guy spoke with CBC News on Sunday and said that Indonesian officials told the family that it may be more than a month until the Burlington teacher is released.
"The information we're getting out at this point is that my brother was advised on Saturday, so Day 20, that his detention would be extended for another up to 40 days,” Guy said.
“We're also learning that the police chief in Jakarta is pushing his investigative team to complete their review and forward all material and any supposed evidence on to the prosecution's office. We have to wait that process out. "
The family has been working with the Canadian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs to try to win Bantleman’s release.
“We're going to intensify our efforts, specifically with the Canadian government in Canada,” Guy said. “Diplomatic services has done a good job of supporting Neil in Indonesia. And at this point, we need to get the government and various ministries here more involved to push through."
Bantleman's arrest stemmed from a Jakarta police investigation into the alleged sexual assault of three kindergarten students at the school, local media reports said. He was detained along with teaching assistant Ferdinand Tjiong, who is Indonesian.
Last year the Vice Principal of an east Jakarta high school was named a suspect in a child sex abuse case at the school. Early this year the owner of an orphanage was arrested for allegedly abusing as many as 30 children in his care.
Then in March of this year the Jakarta Post newspaper reported that six outsourced cleaners were arrested for allegedly raping a young boy in a school bathroom. There's a good chance that the police are a bit spooked by the dramatic increase in child sex abuse in Indonesia, especially when it is high profile as in the Jakarta Int'l School.
Later on, the parents of two other students filed police reports claiming their sons were sexually assaulted by teachers. The newspaper also reported that one complainant, whose family is suing the school for US $125 million, implicated school teachers.
This is contradictory. Was it one or two parents, or maybe 3, who implicated teachers? If it is just the one who is suing the school for 125 million dollars, then the credibility of the complaint is in question.
There is a growing cottage industry in Indonesia where children are rented out by their parents, then the parent sues the pedophile and gets rich. I wouldn't be surprised if this is just a get rich quick scheme. But I hope and pray that the truth will be revealed no matter what it is.
Bantleman's passport is being held by police and his home and office were searched.
Supporters in Canada have been rallying for Bantleman’s release since he was taken to police custody. Vigils were held in Ontario and Alberta this week to raise awareness about the family’s cause.
Earlier this week, Tracy Bantleman, Neil’s wife, told CBC Hamilton that her husband appeared “scared” and “fragile” when she’s visited him in jail.
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| Neil and Tracy Bantleman |
"They go to sleep, they're hopeful,” Tracy said. “They wake up and they're in a dark reality."
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