Over 600 Abuse Incidents at Ariel Daycare; Suspects Cite 'Soviet Education'
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
Prosecutors intend to indict three staff members of an Ariel daycare center for allegedly abusing over ten toddlers in more than 600 incidents. The investigation revealed that caregivers used force on crying babies, describing their methods as "Soviet education." The case was uncovered by an activity instructor who noticed suspicious behavior and reported it to police, leading to the daycare's closure and arrests. Further investigations have led to the arrest of three additional former caregivers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Three Ariel daycare staff face indictment for over 600 alleged abuse incidents against toddlers.
- The daycare director and two caregivers are accused of using force on crying babies.
- Suspects described their abusive methods as a form of "Soviet education."
- The abuse case was exposed by an activity instructor who reported suspicions to police.
- The daycare has been closed for 60 days, and three former caregivers were also arrested.
Prosecutors have filed a statement of intent to indict Natalia Kisilevsky, the director of a daycare center in Ariel, along with caregivers Darina Khalfa and Anna Pagalaksi, in a case involving the abuse of toddlers. The investigation has identified over 600 instances of violence affecting more than ten children during September and October.
The daycare operated out of an apartment and housed 30 children in two groups: 11 infants aged 10 months to 1 year and 3 months, and 19 older children up to age two. Investigators found that most of the abuse occurred in the younger group, with more force used on babies who cried more. The suspects described their methods as a form of "Soviet education" and stated they taught each other the techniques to silence crying babies. Some admitted to being identifiable in surveillance footage, claiming they believed their actions were acceptable or unaware they were forbidden, while others cited anger as a reason for their behavior.
The case came to light after a children's activity instructor noticed a baby being placed in a dark room and suspected improper conduct at the daycare. The instructor, concerned about potential harm to the children and initially hesitant to impact the staff's livelihood, reported her suspicions to a patrol officer, who accompanied her to the police station to file a complaint. Security camera footage was obtained, leading to the arrest of Pagalaksi after an initial observation of an assault. Kisilevsky and Khalfa were arrested shortly after.
The Ministry of Education was notified, and the daycare was closed for 60 days. In follow-up investigations, police arrested three former caregivers from the facility, some of whom are now working in other daycares or have left the profession. The charges against the three main suspects include conspiracy to commit a crime, assault of a minor, causing injury by a responsible party, and physical or emotional abuse of a helpless person by a responsible party.
