A severe indictment has been filed against three caregivers from the "Mini Bambini" nursery in Petah Tikva, Israel, on suspicion of abusing and assaulting infants and toddlers under their care. The three women face charges of aggravated assault against helpless minors whom they were entrusted to protect.
The defendants are:
- Shifra Rachel Cohen: A caregiver in the infants' room (birth to age one).
- Bat Chen Sisay: Responsible for toddlers aged one to two years old.
- Limor Sisay: Responsible for the group of children aged two to three years old.
The indictment, filed today (Tuesday) in the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court, details a series of violent incidents involving multiple children.
Allegations of Physical Abuse
The charges against the caregivers paint a horrifying picture of physical abuse and aggressive handling of the young, vulnerable children:
- Shifra Rachel Cohen is accused of assaulting a one-year-old infant, identified as "A," in two separate incidents. In one case, while sitting on a rug and distracted by her phone, Cohen allegedly grabbed the approaching infant's arm forcefully, yanked, and twisted the child to push her away. In a separate incident, Cohen allegedly approached "A" while she was sitting in a bouncer, struck her on the head, and then sprayed water on her face from a bottle, before spraying water on other infants as well.
- Bat Chen Sisay is accused of assaulting a two-year-old toddler, identified as "B." The indictment alleges that Sisay violently pulled the child by his arm while he was sitting on the floor, forcefully made him stand, and then grabbed both of his arms and threw him back down onto the floor.
- Limor Sisay is charged with assaulting a two-and-a-half-year-old child, identified as "C." During naptime, when the children were lying on mattresses, Sisay allegedly grabbed "C" by the arm, walked with her for a few steps, and then slammed her onto the mattress from a height.
The prosecution underscored the severity of the charges, noting that the defendants assaulted the children, who are legally considered minors and helpless, while they were specifically appointed and entrusted with the children's safety and well-being. The filings detail multiple instances of "hitting, dragging, and slamming onto the floor" committed against the victims.
