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Tel Aviv Daycare Horror: Workers Charged with Torturing Toddlers
Three Daycare Workers Charged with Hurting Babies and Toddlers in Tel Aviv
What Happened?
Three women who worked at a private daycare center in Tel Aviv called Gan Hiyuchim have been officially charged with hurting the babies and toddlers they were supposed to take care of. The State Attorney’s Office (the lawyers who work for the government) announced the charges on Monday.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This article discusses child abuse. The details are upsetting but are shared here to help you understand the news. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact local authorities or child protection services.
Who Are the Three Women?
| Name | Age | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Ortal Levi | 39 | Assistant caregiver |
| Natalie Shahar | 42 | Owner and manager of the daycare (also worked as a caregiver) |
| Ronit Shira Ariel | 63 | Assistant caregiver (from Bat Yam) |
The Children Involved
- Ages: 6 months to 1.5 years old (very young babies and toddlers)
- Total children: 21 infants and toddlers were at the daycare during the time period (September to December 29, 2024)
- Abused children: Prosecutors say 8 children were physically abused, and all suffered psychological harm
What Is Ortal Levi Accused Of Doing?
Prosecutors say Levi repeatedly hurt children from November 2024, creating "an atmosphere of fear" and treating children "as though they were objects."
Specific things she allegedly did:
- Threw children onto the floor or mattresses
- Pulled them forcefully by their arms
- Lifted them by their clothing
- Pushed their heads into mattresses
- Pinched their cheeks
- Struck (hit) them
- Forcibly covered their heads and faces with blankets
The Most Serious Incident: A Broken Arm
Date: December 19, 2024
What happened: Levi took a toddler to change his diaper. She allegedly used force and twisted the child’s right arm.
The child’s reaction:
- Immediately stopped using the arm
- Started crying and threw head backward
- Avoided moving the arm all day
- Lay motionless for long periods
- Didn’t participate in activities
- Cried for long periods
- Struggled to support himself
- Avoided using the arm while eating
What Levi did NOT do: Did not tell the parents Did not get medical help
What happened later: The toddler was taken to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, where doctors found a spiral fracture of the humerus (the upper arm bone). The child was sedated, the bone was put back in place, a cast was put on, and he stayed in the hospital for two days.
Charges Against Ortal Levi
Levi faces multiple serious charges:
- Assaulting a minor and causing serious injury while responsible for the child
- Multiple counts of assaulting a minor and causing bodily harm while responsible for them
- Aggravated assault
- Eight counts of abusing a minor (one for each child)
What Is Natalie Shahar Accused Of?
Shahar was the owner, manager, AND a caregiver. She is accused of:
1. Hurting Children Herself
- Held one girl upside down by her legs, leaving her body suspended in the air
- Pushed another girl’s head toward a mattress, struck her, pulled her by the arm, and lifted her into the air
2. Failing to Protect Children
- Several parents reported injuries their children got at the daycare
- A trainee assistant warned her in January 2024 about Levi’s "unusual and aggressive treatment"
- She was present during several assaults but did nothing
- Did not properly investigate parents’ reports
- Did not take steps to stop violence against children
Charges against Shahar:
- Two counts of aggravated assault
- Breaching the duty of a parent or person responsible for a child
What Is Ronit Shira Ariel Accused Of?
Ariel has a separate indictment with 15 counts of aggravated assault. She allegedly:
- Pulled children by one hand
- Lifted them into the air by an arm or wrist
- Completely covered their heads while putting them to sleep
- Pushed their heads into mattresses
- Force-fed one child
Other Serious Problems at the Daycare
CALL OUT: The daycare was operating ILLEGALLY!
The indictments state that Gan Hiyuchim operated without the business license required by law. This means it was not legally allowed to be open.
What Happens Next?
Prosecutors have asked the courts to ban all three women from working with children in any capacity until the legal proceedings are finished.
Summary
- Three women from a Tel Aviv daycare have been charged with abusing babies and toddlers (ages 6 months to 1.5 years)
- Ortal Levi (assistant) allegedly hurt 8 children repeatedly, including breaking a toddler’s arm and not getting help
- Natalie Shahar (owner/manager) allegedly hurt children herself AND failed to stop the abuse despite warnings and being present
- Ronit Shira Ariel (assistant) faces 15 counts of aggravated assault
- The daycare had no license to operate
- 21 children were in their care during the abuse period (Sept–Dec 2024)
- Prosecutors want all three barred from working with children until the case ends
FAQ: Questions You Might Have
1. What does "indicted" mean?
Being indicted means a grand jury or prosecutor has formally accused someone of a crime. It’s not a conviction – it means there’s enough evidence to go to trial. The women are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
2. What is a "spiral fracture"?
A spiral fracture is a type of broken bone where the break spirals around the bone. It usually happens when a twisting force is applied (like twisting an arm). Doctors often see this as a sign of abuse in young children because it rarely happens from normal accidents.
3. Why didn’t the daycare have a license?
The article doesn’t say why, but in Israel, daycares must meet strict safety, staffing, and facility requirements to get a license. Operating without one is illegal and means no government oversight was happening.
4. What happens to the children now?
The article doesn’t specify, but typically:
- Children are removed from the unsafe environment
- Parents are notified
- Child protective services get involved
- Children may need medical and psychological care for trauma
5. How can parents protect their children in daycare?
While nothing guarantees safety, parents can:
- Check for a valid license (displayed publicly)
- Visit unexpectedly at different times
- Talk to other parents
- Watch for signs in your child: unexplained injuries, fear of daycare, behavior changes, sleep/eating problems
- Report concerns immediately to police or child welfare services
This article is based on a report from The Jerusalem Post. Legal proceedings are ongoing, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
