Munich educator faces trial over alleged abuse of toddlers

A 58-year-old nursery educator is on trial in Munich on 11 counts of alleged abuse of children in her care, BR reports. Prosecutors accuse her of physical and emotional mistreatment of children aged one to three.

A colleague who testified on Thursday wept as she described alleged death threats, physical violence, withheld food and neglect of the children’s care. The defendant has not commented on the accusations.

A police investigator told the court that it had been difficult to establish specific incidents through interviews with very young children and distressed parents. Testimony from colleagues, she said, helped build a clearer picture. The educator allegedly left children in soiled nappies or wet clothes, shouted at them and grabbed them roughly by the arm. Witnesses also described insults and food being withheld.

Prosecutors allege the defendant repeatedly told a two-year-old, “I’ll kill you” or “I’ll murder you”. In another incident, she allegedly grabbed a two-year-old boy by the wrist and threw him to the floor, causing a painful radial head subluxation that required treatment. A different child reportedly split their lip when the educator pushed them roughly towards a table while they were sitting in a chair.

The indictment also alleges that she insulted and demeaned children because of their backgrounds or limited German skills. Prosecutors say she told a child of Indian descent that Indians were dirty and smelled bad. She is also accused of wiping another child’s face with a floor-cleaning cloth instead of a clean one.

The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between April 2024 and July 2025. The nursery’s director, who was reportedly informed of the incidents but took no action, was initially charged with aiding the alleged abuse by omission. Her case has since been provisionally closed, subject to a financial payment and attendance at a violence-prevention course for childcare managers.

Child-protection expert Jörg Maywald told BR that children have had a right to care and education free from violence, physical punishment, psychological harm and other degrading measures since 2000. Verdi union representative Elke Alsago said such incidents rarely result solely from individual misconduct, and cited factors including staff shortages, stress, lack of training and poor workplace culture.

The court is expected to deliver its verdict in mid-October. The presumption of innocence applies until a ruling becomes final.