Southern Resident Arrested for Allegedly Lacing Baby Food with Sedatives

A man in his 40s from southern Israel was arrested on Monday on suspicion of involvement in adding sedatives to "Prunok" brand baby fruit purees. The police stated that the investigation, initially revealed by Kan News, is ongoing and focuses on tracing the source of the sedatives and how they were introduced into the products. The suspect was apprehended at his home and is being interrogated by the crime-fighting unit. He is scheduled to appear in Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Tuesday for a hearing on extending his detention. Authorities are also investigating the potential involvement of additional individuals in the case.

The incident came to light approximately two months ago when three infants in Jerusalem were hospitalized after benzodiazepine residues, sedative and tranquilizer substances found in adult anxiety medications like Klonopin and Valium, were detected in their blood. It is suspected that the infants consumed various "Prunok" purees purchased from "Zol u'Vagadol" chain stores in Jerusalem. The infants exhibited symptoms of apathy and weakness and were taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, where they were hospitalized for observation before being released. The Health Committee has discussed the "Prunok" puree case involving sedatives, questioning why a suspected poisoned jar was not tested, and a dispute over versions of the infant poisoning incident has emerged.