Netanya Daycare Worker Sentenced to Seven Years for Child Abuse

A daycare worker in Netanya has been sentenced to seven years in prison for abusing and assaulting 12 toddlers. Shelly Sheinker, who worked at "The Transparent Garden" daycare, was convicted of numerous charges including abuse of a helpless minor by a caregiver and aggravated assault. The court handed down the sentence on Tuesday, also ordering Sheinker to pay a total of 300,000 shekels in compensation to the parents.

During the trial, prosecutors detailed how Sheinker repeatedly pushed, hit, slapped, and pulled the hair of infants aged 7 months to 1.5 years. She also kicked them, pinched them, and grabbed their faces. In some instances, she would yank toddlers by one arm or leg and throw them forcefully, even while they slept. The abuse also included spraying cleaning fluid at the children and dragging a chair to push a crawling infant.

The incidents were captured on security cameras. The court emphasized the severity of the abuse, particularly given that it was perpetrated by someone entrusted with the children's care. Despite a trend toward harsher sentencing for such offenses, the court noted that violence against young children by caregivers continues. The judge took into account Sheinker's personal circumstances, as detailed in a probation report, in reaching the seven-year sentence, which also includes a suspended sentence and the significant compensation order.

Ophir Fahima, a prosecutor from the Central District Attorney's Office, stated that Sheinker's actions were systematic and cruel, involving humiliation and intimidation of helpless infants. She added that the prosecution had sought a 10-year sentence to send a strong message against harming vulnerable children and betraying parental trust. The prosecution will review the verdict to consider an appeal. Fahima also expressed support for the parents and hoped the sentence would allow them and their children to begin a healing process.