Veteran Nurse Arrested After Allegedly Assaulting 3 Year-Old Child in ICU
A 53-year-old nurse in central Israel has been arrested for allegedly abusing a 3-year-old in a pediatric ICU. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the nurse slamming the toddler and causing leg fractures.
A 53-year-old nurse at a rehabilitation hospital in central Israel was arrested overnight between Monday and Tuesday on suspicion of severely injuring a 3-year-old patient. The toddler was hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit at the time of the alleged incident.
The investigation, first reported by i24News' crime desk head Lee Ayash, centers on an event that occurred two weeks ago. According to the allegations, which were captured on hospital surveillance cameras, the nurse lifted the toddler violently, grabbed him by the hair, and slammed his upper body down. She is further suspected of folding the child's legs with enough force to cause multiple fractures.
The hospital administration suspended the nurse and summoned her for a hearing before her arrest. The facility also filed a formal police complaint and reported the matter to the Ministry of Health after a medical official raised the alarm.
The suspect, who has 15 years of experience as a nurse and no prior criminal record, is being investigated for causing serious injury to a helpless minor and, alternatively, injury through negligence. Police are currently working to determine if the injuries resulted from deliberate violence or extremely aggressive and careless treatment.
During questioning, the nurse denied any intentional wrongdoing. She claimed she treated the child using her standard methods, stating she was changing his diaper and lifted his legs in a manner consistent with his medical condition as a non-functioning patient. She told investigators that she was the one who later noticed swelling in the child's legs during a subsequent treatment and reported it herself.
The rehabilitation hospital issued a statement emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward violence: "After staff raised suspicions of maltreatment by a staff member in the children's department, management took immediate steps. The staff member was suspended immediately and will be summoned for a hearing. We are in continuous contact with the patient's family to provide for all their needs."
The nurse's detention has been extended by three days.