The State Attorney’s Office filed on Wednesday two indictments against four daycare workers in Tel Aviv and Bat Yam for allegedly assaulting toddlers under their care, prosecutors said.
The first indictment was filed in the Tel Aviv District Court against Simona Yaffa Bar-Zohar, 59, the owner of Gan Simona in Bat Yam, and two assistants, Meital Namer, 45, and Nurit Ratzon, 57.
According to the indictment, the three allegedly assaulted 14 toddlers at the daycare in repeated incidents over the course of about a month, beginning in January 2023.
Prosecutors said the defendants allegedly grabbed the children forcefully, dragged them by one arm, lifted them and threw them onto mattresses, chairs, changing tables, or cribs, slapped them, pinched them, hit them on the head, and pushed them.
In some cases, according to the indictment, the defendants allegedly “punished” toddlers by seating them for periods of time in a highchair or on a children’s chair in a corner.
14 toddlers allegedly assaulted
The indictment charges the three, each according to her alleged role, with assault of a minor by a responsible adult causing actual injury and aggravated assault. Namer was also charged with abuse of one toddler, due to what prosecutors described as the frequency and number of alleged assaults against him.
Bar-Zohar was also charged with breach of duty by a responsible adult. Prosecutors alleged that parents had reported injuries to children at the daycare, and that Bar-Zohar was aware of the violent atmosphere there but failed to act to prevent harm.
The second indictment was filed in the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court against Ravit Gabriel, 48, of Tel Aviv, who worked as an assistant at the Mamlechet Or daycare in Tel Aviv from 2017 to 2022.
According to the indictment, Gabriel was responsible for the care of some 20 toddlers aged one to one-and-a-half and allegedly created an atmosphere of fear while assaulting children under her care.
Prosecutors alleged that Gabriel grabbed toddlers forcefully, pinched them, dragged them by their arms and legs, threw them onto mattresses, force-fed them, and changed their diapers aggressively.
The indictment charges Gabriel with assault and assault of a minor or helpless person. In both cases, prosecutors notified the courts that they may seek prison sentences if the defendants are convicted.
