Munich daycare worker gets suspended sentence for abusing toddlers

A 58-year-old worker at a private daycare in Munich has received a two-year suspended prison sentence for abusing children in her care, BR reported. The Munich district court found her guilty of eight counts of abuse of people entrusted to her care and three counts of intentional assault. The verdict is final.

The court found that she pushed and hit several children aged two to three, twisted their arms and insulted them, including with racist abuse. She also withheld food and deliberately failed to change children whose diapers were full or whose clothes were wet.

A colleague brought the conduct to light. She repeatedly alerted the daycare manager, who took no action, according to the investigation. The colleague and other staff later informed a new manager after a change in leadership, and the 58-year-old was immediately suspended. The former manager was also charged with aiding the abuse by failing to act, but proceedings against her were provisionally discontinued subject to conditions.

The presiding judge said the worker’s full confession and tearful apologies to the affected children’s parents helped secure a suspended sentence. She also reached victim-offender settlements with two families. The amount she will pay has not been disclosed, but the judge said it was substantial.

The worker has been barred from the profession for three years and must pay 5,000 euros to Kinderschutz München, a child protection organisation. The court said she had caused no lasting physical injuries, while any long-term psychological effects were difficult to assess.