Father charged with breaking infant daughter's bones

The Southern District Attorney's Office has filed a severe indictment in Be'er Sheva District Court against a 26-year-old father from southern Israel, charging him with repeatedly attacking his one-month-old infant daughter and causing her life-threatening injuries.

According to the indictment filed by Attorney Hila Kalper Cohen of the Southern District Attorney's Office (Criminal), the helpless infant suffered multiple fractures to her ribs and legs, as well as internal bleeding. As a result of the attacks, she was hospitalized and her treatment included sedation and ventilation for approximately five days, insertion of a chest drain, and stabilization of her fractured hip.

The defendant is charged with multiple counts of assault of a minor by a guardian causing serious bodily harm. The state's motion to extend his bail conditions until the conclusion of proceedings indicates that the prosecution holds prima facie evidence supporting the charges.

The evidence includes medical documents, physician testimony, and a preliminary opinion from the Institute of Forensic Medicine determining that the injuries resulted from abuse rather than accidental trauma, alongside an expert opinion ruling out genetic disease.

During interrogation, the father confirmed that some of the incidents occurred and that the injuries could have resulted from them. However, he claimed the acts were not carried out with significant force, and he completely denied any involvement by the mother in harming the infant.

The indictment notes that the father initially provided an alternative account of the fracture to his daughter's leg involving dogs, but this version was contradicted by security camera footage, leading him to change his story.

The case was investigated at the Ashdod station of the Israel Police. A comprehensive gag order prohibits publication of the defendant's identity and any detail that could lead to identification of the infant.

This case joins a series of severe child abuse cases that have come to light in recent months. Just days ago, the prosecution filed an appeal against a one-year prison sentence imposed on a Jerusalem father who routinely choked his infant son to unconsciousness as a method of putting him to sleep, beginning when the child was only one month old.

Prison. Illustration (Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

In parallel, recent weeks have seen multiple cases of abuse of toddlers in daycare centers and kindergartens exposed. Last month, three suspects were arrested at a private daycare center in the city of Ariel, including the center's director and two employees, on suspicion of severe abuse of toddlers. The investigation included analysis of security camera footage that revealed the suspected abuse.

Police and prosecution officials emphasize that they view with utmost severity any case of suspected harm to helpless minors, and are working to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those involved in such cases.