Three ‘Israeli’ daycare workers face charges over abuse of 17 babies

• The indictment accuses the defendants of using several forms of physical punishment, including obstructing children's airways, shaking them, restraining them and pressing them against mattresses.
• Caregivers allegedly force-fed some children while they were restrained, roughly wiped their faces and confined toddlers in a dark room for extended periods without supervision.
• Prosecutors also accuse the women of psychologically abusing the children by carrying out violent acts in front of other toddlers, who witnessed the mistreatment.

Three women have been indicted in ‘Israel’ over more than 400 alleged incidents of abuse and assault involving 17 infants and toddlers at a private daycare center in the occupied West Bank settlement of Ariel, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The indictment was filed on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Central District Court in Lod against the daycare's director, Natalia Kasilevsky, 37, and two caregivers, Darina Halufa, 37, and Anna Pagelsky, 40. The alleged victims were between six months and three years old.

Prosecutors have requested that all three defendants remain in custody until the conclusion of their trial, citing what they described as a prolonged pattern of serious violence against children who were entirely dependent on their caregivers.

According to the indictment, the women allegedly subjected the toddlers to several forms of physical and psychological abuse, including methods described as punishment. One alleged practice involved obstructing children's breathing by covering their mouths and noses with hands, paper or cloth while holding their heads and necks to prevent them from moving.

The indictment further alleges that caregivers shook the children, forced their heads and bodies forward and pressed them against mattresses for prolonged periods. In some instances, they allegedly continued restricting the children's airways even as they gasped for breath, turned red and struggled to breathe.

Another alleged method involved tightly wrapping children in blankets or fabric, pinning their arms against their bodies and leaving them unable to move. While restrained, some toddlers were allegedly force-fed pureed food, with caregivers forcing their mouths open and pushing food inside.

The defendants are also accused of roughly wiping children's faces, as well as isolating them in a dark, closed room for extended periods without supervision. According to the prosecution, the children were left there despite crying and attempting to get out.

Beyond the alleged direct assaults, prosecutors have charged the women with psychological abuse, arguing that they repeatedly carried out violent acts in front of other children at the facility. The indictment says other toddlers witnessed their peers being mistreated, with some responding by crying or approaching the children who had been harmed.

The defendants face multiple charges, including abuse of minors or helpless individuals by a responsible caregiver, aggravated assault causing bodily harm and assault under aggravated circumstances.

The investigation was conducted by a specialized team from the Samaria District's investigative and intelligence unit, alongside officers from the Ariel Police Station.

The allegations are set out in the indictment and have yet to be established in court.

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