Israeli Kindergarten Assistant Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Abuse

Abd al-Hai was convicted of 277 violent offenses against infants aged eight months to one and a half years. Her convictions included nine counts of child abuse of a helpless minor and 122 counts of aggravated assault. Surveillance footage served as key evidence, documenting incidents where she kicked, hit, shook, and threw the children in her care.

During the sentencing, parents shared emotional testimonies about the lasting psychological trauma, anxiety, and nightmares their children continue to experience. Addressing the parents' feelings of guilt, Judge Michal Barak-Nevo reassured them that they could not have known about the abuse, noting that the assistant had presented an excellent facade.

Abd al-Hai apologized in court, stating that her actions were a source of shame and trauma. Her defense attorney, Konforti, requested leniency, citing her young age, clean record, and cooperation with the video evidence.