Jerusalem Daycare Tragedy: Court Releases Caregivers to House Arrest as Bereaved Mother Testifies in Their Favor
In a heart-wrenching courtroom scene, Chani Katz left her Shiva to testify on behalf of the caregivers suspected in her infant son's death. "I entrusted them with my precious treasure," the grieving mother told the judge, who subsequently ordered the suspects released to house arrest.
The Jerusalem Magistrates' Court has ordered the release to house arrest of two caregivers suspected in the fatal daycare incident that claimed the lives of two infants, rejecting a police request to bar them from the city but imposing restrictions on contact with parents and work involving children.
The caregivers face charges of manslaughter through negligence, neglect, abuse, and assault on a helpless person following the deaths of baby Lia Goloventziz and Ari Katz. Instead of the 15 days of detention sought by police, the court mandated nine days of house arrest, along with a one-month ban on contacting the children's parents and a one-and-a-half-month prohibition on engaging in child-related work.
In a surprising turn, Chani Katz, the mother of Ari Katz, who is still observing the seven-day mourning period (shiva), appeared in court to testify on behalf of the caregivers. "I lost my son. I know the caregivers for seven years; I sent all my children to them. We're like family. I have two more children with her for several years. They always had fun going to her. We're really friends, and I know exactly who we're dealing with and I'm the most anxious mother in Jerusalem," Katz testified courageously.
As quoted by Ynet, she added: "I didn't plan to send him to a permanent daycare, and the night before, I debated where to place my precious treasure. I debated between my family and the caregiver, and I chose her because I was the most at ease in the world. The decree was from heaven. He was meant to pass on that day and at that hour, and God did me a kindness that he didn't pass at my home."
The caregivers' attorney argued during the hearing: "The most there is here is perhaps negligence. And why perhaps? Because even the great and powerful Israel Police, the prosecution, the hospitals, and the forensic institute still don't know how to say what caused the death of the two children in this terrible disaster."