Child Kidnapping Investigation Reveals Pattern of Abuse

Investigators handling the suspected kidnapping of ten-year-old Yehali Sofer from Petah Tikva to Bnei Brak believe they may be dealing with a repeat offender. According to police, the suspect—a man in his twenties from Jerusalem—is believed to have approached other minors in the past, suggesting this was not an isolated or random incident.

Concerned that additional children may have fallen victim to the suspect's actions, police representatives pressed the court to authorize publication of the suspect's name and photograph. The goal is to encourage other potential victims or their parents to come forward to police stations and provide testimony.

The court granted the police request and authorized releasing the suspect's identity, but delayed implementation of the decision until Sunday at noon, to allow the suspect's defense team time to appeal the ruling to a higher court.

The suspect's detention was extended by six additional days. According to reports, the case file is expected to be transferred to the prosecutor's office later today for review and consideration of filing an indictment.

Meanwhile, Yaheli was questioned by a certified child investigator in an attempt to obtain detailed testimony about what occurred. However, the boy had significant difficulty reconstructing the events and the sequence of what happened, according to a report by I24NEWS.

Reporter Lee Ayash noted that investigators clarified the difficulty in providing a description did not stem from forgetfulness or confusion about details, but rather from the emotional distress and severe psychological trauma the child experienced as a result of the incident. The interrogation was halted midway and is expected to resume at a later date when his condition permits.

Yaheli's mother shared the painful reality of the difficult situation at home, describing how her son is suffering greatly and his mental state has been defined as extremely fragile since the incident.

The court also heard about the suspect's background and personal circumstances. The suspect's mother testified that her son has been struggling with complex mental health issues for an extended period, barely communicates with family members, and often sleeps on the streets, in shelters, and in temporary structures.

She added that in the past, he was attacked by adults and criminals. The suspect's defense attorney reinforced these claims, arguing in court that his client is a young man with special needs who has previously been in appropriate therapeutic and rehabilitative frameworks.

The investigation revealed additional troubling details about the suspect's methods. After approaching a group of children at a playground, he asked one of them to borrow a mobile phone for an urgent call, then immediately deleted the number he had dialed from the call log. This past March, an indictment was filed against him for stealing a mobile phone.