Tel Aviv daycare workers charged with abusing toddlers
Three workers at a private Tel Aviv daycare have been indicted for allegedly assaulting and abusing infants and toddlers, including fracturing one child's arm. Prosecutors say the abuse created an atmosphere of fear and left children with injuries, sleep and eating problems, and behavioral changes.
Key Takeaways
- Three staff at Gan Hiyuchim in Tel Aviv face assault and abuse charges involving infants and toddlers.
- One toddler suffered a spiral fracture of the upper arm and was hospitalized for two days.
- Prosecutors say 21 children were under the women's care between September and December 2024.
- The private daycare allegedly operated without a required business license.
- Courts were asked to bar all three from any work involving minors until proceedings end.
What happened at the Tel Aviv daycare?
According to The Jerusalem Post, Israel's State Attorney's Office announced Monday that three workers at the private Tel Aviv daycare Gan Hiyuchim were indicted over repeated alleged assault and abuse.
The children were between six months and one-and-a-half years old. Prosecutors said assistant Ortal Levi, 39, repeatedly assaulted children from November 2024, treating them as though they were objects.
Allegations include throwing children onto floors or mattresses, pulling them by the arms, lifting them by clothing, pushing heads into mattresses, pinching cheeks, striking them, and covering heads and faces with blankets.
How serious were the injuries to the toddlers?
The most serious incident described occurred on December 19, 2024, after Levi took a toddler into a changing room to replace his diaper. She allegedly twisted his right arm with force.
The child later stopped using the arm, cried for long periods, and avoided activities. Prosecutors said Levi did not tell the parents or seek medical care.
At Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, doctors diagnosed a spiral fracture of the humerus. The toddler was sedated while the fracture was repositioned, placed in a cast, and hospitalized for two days.
Some children allegedly suffered injuries, sleep and eating disturbances, weight loss, and behavioral changes during or shortly after the alleged abuse.
Who faces charges, and why does this daycare case matter?
Levi faces charges including assaulting a minor and causing serious injury, aggravated assault, and eight counts of abusing a minor. Daycare owner and manager Natalie Shahar, 42, is accused of assaulting two children herself and failing to prevent violence by assistants.
A separate indictment names assistant Ronit Shira Ariel, 63, of Bat Yam, with 15 counts of aggravated assault. The indictments state the facility operated without the business license required by law.
Parents had reported injuries, and a trainee reportedly warned Shahar in January 2024 about Levi's aggressive treatment. Similar daycare abuse scandals in Israel have previously fueled nationwide parent protests demanding stronger oversight.
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