The Internal Security Forces announced that "in the context of an investigation by the Judicial Detachment in the new area following the circulation of a video that shocked public opinion and demonstrated their outrage over the abuse and mistreatment of children in a nursery, two individuals, referred to as Dr. H. (1979) and T. M. (1985), were arrested last night, July 10, 2023." The investigation is ongoing based on judicial direction.
The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Faras Al-Abyad, will hold a meeting with the Ministry's Events Committee at 1:30 PM today, Tuesday, in the meeting room of the Ministry of Public Health, to determine the necessary actions to prevent the recurrence of harm to those who need protection and care, following the revelations from the incident of child abuse in the nursery.
Horrifying and brutal scenes circulated on social media involving a so-called "nanny" named Jenny Helo Khoury in one of the nurseries, who was seen mercilessly hitting children inside the nursery, provoking outrage and angry reactions across the Lebanese public, who called for the immediate accountability of the perpetrators and the closure of the nursery.
A decision was issued by the Single Judge in Baabda, Joel Abu Haidar, concerning juvenile cases in Mount Lebanon, to prevent the Gardereve nursery from opening its doors starting from the date of the decision due to the abuse of several children.
The Ministry of Health announced that it is following the circumstances of the video circulating on several social media platforms about the abuse of a girl in one of the nurseries and that it has initiated an investigation into the matter. Legal actions will be taken accordingly, as soon as possible, according to the ministry.
The ministry emphasized that it "will not be lenient in any way regarding behaviors unworthy of those responsible for caring for and protecting children."
The head of the Parliamentary Health Committee, MP Bilal Abdullah, tweeted: "The shocking scandal of child abuse in Gardereve nursery necessitates strict and deterrent measures from the relevant administrative and judicial authorities, increased monitoring by the Ministry of Health, and also requires close following and constant supervision by parents. This file will be among our priorities as a Parliamentary Health Committee in cooperation with the Ministry of Health!"
