Three Caregivers Charged with Abuse of Children in Ariel Daycare

According to the indictment, the defendants exploited their positions and the children's complete dependence to repeatedly inflict violence, including hitting, pushing, shaking, and throwing the toddlers. The prosecution described the infant room as "hell" and detailed cruel punishment methods. These included a "suffocation technique" where caregivers forcibly blocked the children's airways with hands, paper, or cloth, and shook their heads until they became disoriented or lost consciousness. The staff also allegedly bound infants tightly in blankets to restrict movement, force-fed them, and locked crying children in a dark room without supervision.

Security cameras at the facility, which operated out of a residence with up to 30 children, captured the severe acts. The indictment also includes charges of psychological abuse, as children were forced to witness the violence inflicted on their peers. The prosecution is seeking to detain the three women until the conclusion of legal proceedings, citing the severity of the acts and the danger they pose. Following the revelations, the Education Minister and the Mayor of Ariel pledged support for the affected families, including the establishment of a new daycare facility.