Suspect in 10-Year-Old's Abduction May Have Attacked Other Children

A Jerusalem man, 20, suspected of abducting 10-year-old Yahli Sofer, had his remand extended by four days by the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court on Monday. Police revealed during the hearing that they are investigating suspicions the suspect may have attacked other minors in various locations across the country. The suspect was apprehended after Yahli was reported missing on Sunday afternoon and found early Monday morning in Bnei Brak. Security footage shows Yahli playing in a park shortly before he was approached by the suspect, whom he did not know. Yahli's mother, Shiran Shabtai Sofer, recounted that the suspect initially demanded money from Yahli and his friends, who fled. Yahli remained, and the suspect manipulated him by claiming to be homeless and penniless, using Yahli to solicit donations. After receiving 100 shekels from a passerby, the suspect took Yahli on a bus to Bnei Brak.

Yahli was located via the suspect's phone. Other children told their parents Yahli stayed behind to help the man get to Bnei Brak and collect money. An alert citizen contacted police after seeing posts about the missing child, leading to their discovery in Bnei Brak around 1 a.m. Yahli told investigators the suspect instructed him to ask people for money. His mother stated Yahli recounted, "He asked me for money and I didn't have any, so he told me I had to help him and ask people for money. We walked far from home and I was scared." The suspect, however, claims he did not abduct Yahli but met him on the street, and the child said he was lost, prompting the suspect to try and escort him home.

The suspect's defense attorney argued he has an intellectual disability and requested his release to house arrest or a reduced detention period. The judge denied this, citing reasonable suspicion against the suspect.