Soldiers from the army's Strategic Reserve Command, or Kostrad, went to the children's homes early Sunday in a district just south of Jakarta, woke them and accused them of stealing the bicycle from their nearby complex, the National Commission for Child Protection said. The soldiers beat the children, aged 10 to 14, as their parents looked on, the commission said. The soldiers then handed the boys over to police, who said there was not enough evidence to pursue a theft case, it said. Local media reports said two of the children were seriously hurt, with bruises and cuts to the face. “We strongly protest the incident,” said Seto Mulyadi, the commission chairman. “Even if they stole something, they should not have been beaten, especially by soldiers.” The parents of the children filed a complaint with military police, and Mulyadi urged the army to take stern action. Kostrad spokesman Lt. Col. Husni confirmed the incident and said four officers suspected of involvement were being questioned. “Of course we regret such incidents,” said Husni, who like many Indonesians uses a single name. The soldiers could face up to 15 years in prison if charged and convicted under the country's Child Protection Law, the commission said.