“Forcefully Twisted His Arm”: Kindergarten Assistant Charged with Abuse, Manager Charged with Assault

A broken arm of a one-year-old toddler led to the exposure of a series of severe acts of violence at the private “Hiyuchim” kindergarten in Tel Aviv. This is described in an indictment filed on Monday against assistant Ortal Levy for dozens of cases of assault and abuse of helpless toddlers, and against the kindergarten manager, Natali Shahar, for assaulting two toddlers and failing to prevent acts of violence.

The indictment, filed with the Tel Aviv District Court, charges Levy and Shahar with a series of serious offenses related to their conduct toward toddlers aged six months to a year and a half. According to the indictment, between September and December 2024, there were 21 toddlers in the kindergarten. Levy was employed as an assistant, and Shahar managed the facility and also served as a caregiver. It is further alleged that the kindergarten operated during that period without the required license.

According to one of the described cases, Levy approached a toddler sleeping in the bedroom, picked him up to the changing room, and there, it is alleged, “applied force and twisted his right arm.” Immediately afterward, the toddler burst into tears and showed difficulty using his hand, yet Levy did not report the injury. Only later was the toddler taken to Ichilov Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a spiral fracture of the humerus. For this case, Levy is charged with assaulting a minor, causing serious bodily harm.

“Treated toddlers as if they were objects”

In a more serious count, it is alleged that Levy “instilled an atmosphere of fear,” “treated toddlers as if they were objects,” and performed caregiving actions “mechanically.” According to the indictment, Levy grabbed toddlers with force, threw them onto mattresses and the floor, pulled them by their hands, pushed their heads into mattresses, and covered their faces with blankets. For these acts, Levy is charged with assault under aggravating circumstances and abuse of eight toddlers.

Regarding the manager, Shahar, it is alleged that she ignored repeated reports from parents and warnings from a trainee. Furthermore, she is accused of assaulting two toddlers herself, including holding one upside down by her legs and pushing another’s head toward a mattress.

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Another indictment was filed with the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court against another assistant, 63-year-old Ronit Shira Ariel from Bat Yam, for assaulting toddlers while caring for them.

The state has requested to extend restrictive conditions for all three defendants, including a prohibition on working with minors. A pediatric psychiatrist who reviewed the surveillance footage determined that the toddlers suffered physical and emotional abuse and may develop post-traumatic stress disorder.