Principal Cleared in Child Abuse Investigation After Year-Long Probe
A principal of a special education school in central Israel, suspected of child abuse, has had the case against her closed by the Central District Attorney's Office. The investigation began about a year ago following allegations by parents that their eight-year-old son, a student with special needs on the autism spectrum, was abused by school staff. School staff claimed the child suffered from severe emotional dysregulation, leading to frequent outbursts where he harmed students, staff, and property, and sometimes endangered himself. In such extreme cases, staff reportedly used proportionate physical intervention, consistent with Ministry of Education policy, to prevent harm.
The principal, initially not summoned for questioning, hired attorney Nava Tolidano Yehuda, a former senior state prosecutor. She was later questioned under caution and denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all actions followed regulations. The attorney argued that the interventions were necessary to stop the child's violent episodes in real-time, distinguishing them from prohibited corporal punishment, especially given the student's special needs.
Despite the cloud of suspicion, the principal continued to manage the school and received strong support from parents and the Ministry of Education supervisor. Her attorney repeatedly requested the case be closed, citing the lack of further questioning as evidence the investigation was exhausted. After more than a year, the prosecutor's office announced the decision to close the case against the principal, citing no justification for continuing the proceedings.
"A criminal investigation is a difficult event for any person, and certainly for a veteran educator who is forced to continue managing an educational institution while a cloud of suspicion hangs over her head," said Tolidano Yehuda. "When the investigation is exhausted and no justification is found for continuing the process, closing the case and removing the suspicion from her name is of great importance."
