Daycare Worker Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Abuse

A district court in Lod has sentenced Roan Abd Al Hai, a former assistant at the "Garden of Sigal" daycare in Hod Hasharon, to 10 years in prison. She was convicted of hundreds of counts of violence and abuse against helpless individuals, specifically infants aged six months to a year and a half.

The severe sentence brings a measure of relief to the parents of the toddlers who were abused, though they acknowledge it marks the culmination of a long and difficult legal battle. Shai Franco, father of one of the affected children, described the complex emotions following the verdict. "I do think justice was done, according to legal standards here in Israel," he stated, emphasizing the parents' fight for their children's future. "A parent whose most precious possession is harmed, there is no compensation for that."

Franco also called for systemic changes in early childhood education, advocating for regulation and deterrence mechanisms beyond punishing individual caregivers. He shared that his daughter, despite being well-loved and supported, still exhibits lingering effects from the abuse. "We know this is a direct result of what she experienced, and these are ongoing processes," he said, noting the parents' swift action to publicize the abuse when it occurred.

He expressed hope that this verdict contributes to a better future for children and speaks for those who were harmed and could not speak for themselves. Franco urged parents to trust their intuition when choosing childcare, even if they are told otherwise, and to investigate thoroughly. He concluded that currently, there is no system that guarantees parents security regarding what happens when they leave their child at a daycare, acknowledging the existence of both excellent educators and those who are not. "We need to be sensitive and listen to our intuitions," he advised.