Tel Aviv Court Extends Detention of Childcare Worker Suspected of Infant Abuse

The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court extended the detention of a private childcare worker from central Israel by four days on Friday. The woman, in her 60s, faces allegations of abusing and assaulting an infant under her care. The case emerged after the child's parents filed a police complaint based on videos from surveillance cameras showing violent behavior toward the baby. The footage reportedly depicts the caregiver using a violent method, including force-feeding and hitting the infant.

Police presented two videos in court as evidence of a recurring pattern rather than isolated incidents. The suspect reportedly admitted to the acts during interrogation, and authorities suspect additional cases involving other children she cared for. So far, two complaints have been filed: one online in late May and a second following the discovery of a more severe video. Investigators indicated that further inquiries are needed as more footage has recently surfaced.

The suspect's defense attorney requested her release to house arrest, arguing that the complainants dismissed her in early June and only approached police after a labor dispute letter. The lawyer claimed the allegations aim to avoid paying her employment rights, emphasized her clean criminal record, cooperation with the investigation, and a medical shoulder condition explaining her one-handed handling of the infant. He also noted no clear evidence of harm to other children and suggested non-custodial measures could suffice.

Judge Wijdan Halichal ruled there is reasonable suspicion of the alleged offenses and justified the detention due to potential danger and risk of obstructing the investigation. The judge accepted the defense's request to impose a gag order preventing publication of the suspect's name or identifying details and extended her detention by four days.