Israeli Toddler Suffers Severe Burns in Suspected Daycare Abuse Case

A two-year-old boy returned from a daycare center with severe burns on his feet, suspected to be the result of abuse. The injuries, described as open blisters, allegedly occurred after the child was forced to stand barefoot on hot asphalt outside the daycare as a form of punishment. The boy's father, identified as R., recounted confronting a daycare assistant who admitted the child had taken off his shoes and was made to stand on the hot surface to teach him not to remove them.

R. described the emotional toll on his family, expressing a deep sense of betrayal and trauma. He noted that his son now avoids sunny areas in the yard, indicating lasting psychological effects. The severity of the injuries only became clear after the daycare initially reported the incident to the father as a minor event.

The Israel Police confirmed that an investigation was opened following the complaint, involving evidence collection, witness testimonies, and questioning of those involved. The case has been forwarded to the prosecution for review. Na’amat, the organization operating the daycare, stated that all complaints are investigated and reported to the Ministry of Education and law enforcement, and that they are following official guidelines. They noted that the accused employee was allowed by court order to continue working at the daycare.

The daycare teacher’s lawyer denied any criminal wrongdoing and emphasized that legal proceedings are ongoing, with a judge permitting the teacher to resume work with children. Meanwhile, the father’s lawyer highlighted the seriousness of the incident and praised a courageous assistant who exposed the case. They expect the police and prosecution to decide soon whether to indict the accused for the severe harm caused to a vulnerable child.