Israeli Daycare Worker Sentenced to 7 Years for Abusing 12 Toddlers

A district court in Lod sentenced Shelly Sheinker, a former daycare assistant at "HaGan HaShakuf" (The Transparent Garden) in Netanya, to seven years in prison on Monday for abusing and assaulting 12 toddlers. The victims ranged in age from seven months to 18 months old. The court also ordered Sheinker to pay a total of 300,000 shekels in compensation to the parents.

Sheinker was convicted of multiple counts of child abuse by a caregiver, assault causing actual bodily harm to a helpless person, and aggravated assault. The indictment detailed approximately 60 instances where Sheinker pushed, hit, slapped, pulled the hair of, and ignored the crying of the infants. In other cases, she kicked them, pinched them, and grabbed their faces forcefully. She also reportedly threw them by one arm or leg, even while they slept, sprayed cleaning fluid at them, and dragged a chair to push a crawling infant.

The incidents were captured on security cameras. The court emphasized the severity of abuse against minors, particularly by individuals entrusted with their care. It noted that despite a trend toward harsher sentencing, such violent offenses against young children by caregivers continue. The court considered Sheinker's personal circumstances, as detailed in a probation service report, in handing down the sentence, which also includes a suspended prison term.

Ofir 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 children and betraying parental trust. The prosecution will review the verdict to consider an appeal and expressed hope that the parents and children can begin a healing process.