Court Lifts Gag Order in Ariel Child Abuse Case, Names Staff
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Ariel police have uncovered systematic child abuse at a private kindergarten, leading to the arrest of its director, Natalia Kiselevskaya, and two staff members. A court has lifted a gag order, allowing their names to be published. Hundreds of abuse incidents involving children under three were recorded, including physical violence and suffocation attempts. The case gained public attention after former Knesset Member Oren Hazan revealed his children were among the victims, and the kindergarten has been sealed for 60 days.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Court lifts gag order, naming director Natalia Kiselevskaya and staff in Ariel child abuse case.
- Hundreds of abuse incidents involving children under three were documented at the kindergarten.
- Staff allegedly hit, threw, and suffocated toddlers, causing severe psychological trauma.
- Former Knesset Member Oren Hazan's children were among the victims of the abuse.
- The kindergarten has been sealed for 60 days, and an indictment is expected next week.
A Magistrate Court in Petah Tikva has lifted a gag order, allowing the public identification of the manager and staff of a private kindergarten in Ariel where systematic abuse of toddlers was uncovered. The investigation has led to the detention of director Natalia Kiselevskaya and two assistant caregivers, Anna Pagelskaia and Darina Khalupa. The court stated that evidence gathered by police supports the suspicions and that public disclosure is necessary to protect the public interest and prevent future crimes.
The Ariel police investigation, in conjunction with the district anti-crime unit, documented hundreds of instances of physical force used against children under three years old. Surveillance cameras within the facility recorded numerous illegal actions daily. Staff members are accused of regularly hitting, throwing, pushing, and starving the infants. Investigators reported that the suspects would tie children's limbs, cover their eyes, and block their noses and mouths while they slept, causing them to lose consciousness.
Evidence indicates the director's direct involvement in the abuse, with police noting at least 18 incidents where Kiselevskaya personally assaulted children, and five more where her subordinates committed abuse in her presence. The situation came to light after a visiting educational consultant observed the mistreatment of a child and immediately alerted the police. Prior to this, the kindergarten had a strong reputation, and staff attributed any visible injuries to accidental falls, reassuring parents with messages.
Among the affected children are two belonging to former Knesset Member Oren Hazan, who publicly demanded full transparency in the investigation, describing the recorded abuse as extreme cruelty. Other parents of abused children have reported severe psychological trauma in their children and have formed a public group to monitor the judicial process. The Ministry of Education and the police have sealed the kindergarten for 60 days.
Kiselevskaya's detention has been extended by five days, while decisions regarding the other two suspects are pending. The Central District Prosecutor's Office is preparing to file an official indictment next week.
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