Jerusalem police arrest caregiver on suspicion of abuse and neglect of toddlers
The complaint alleges the caregiver “shouted and cursed at the toddlers, and in some cases even ignored their crying and needs while they were in her care.”
A 49-year-old caregiver from the Har Homa neighborhood of Jerusalem was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of abusing and neglecting two toddlers under their care, the Israel Police Spokesperson’s unit said in a statement on Thursday.
Officers from the Oz police station opened an investigation upon receiving complaints, began collecting evidence, and detained the suspect for questioning, the statement said.
The complaint alleges the caregiver “shouted and cursed at the toddlers, and in some cases even ignored their crying and needs while they were in her care.”
The Magistrate’s Court extended the suspects’ detention on Thursday until Monday, 29.6.26.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Closeup of arrested hands with handcuffs. (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)
Multiple incidents of caregiver abuse have been reported to authorities
In February, the Lod District Court convicted a Netanya-based caregiver of multiple counts of abuse and assault against 12 toddlers between the ages of seven months and 18 months.
The indictment submitted to the court detailed how Shelly Sheinkar, a caregiver at the “Ha’gan Ha’shakuf” kindergarten in Netanya, would regularly physically abuse the toddlers under her care.
Across some 60 incidents, the convicted caregiver “shoved the toddlers, hit them, slapped them, pulled on their hair, and ignored their crying,” read a statement issued by the prosecution in the case.
Sheinkar’s actions were caught on the kindergarten’s security cameras. She pleaded guilty to most of the charges against her.
In another case from April of this year, the Beersheba District Court sentenced two abusive caregivers after they were convicted of multiple offenses involving the assault of toddler-aged children.
Shita Amasho, 34, received a sentence of six and a half years in prison, while 25-year-old Uriya Bidush was sentenced to 27 months in prison.
Judge Noa Haklai emphasized the seriousness of the situation in her verdict. “The toddlers were harmed during a critical period, and the daycare that was supposed to be a place of safety became a site of danger,” she stated.
Yanir Yagna, Walla, and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
