The entrance to the "Garderêve" daycare in Jdeideh, Metn, on July 11, 2023. (Credit: Hussam Chbaro)
BEIRUT — The Internal Security Forces (ISF) said Tuesday they had arrested two suspects after videos of employees hurting infants at the Garderêve daycare in Jdeideh, Metn, caused shockwaves across Lebanon Monday evening. The Ministry of Health has permanently closed the nursery.
The video showed apparent Garderêve employees force-feeding and hitting two infants. Other children can be heard crying in the background, and at least one adult laughing.
The door to the "Garderêve" daycare placed under seal, July 11, 2023 in Jdeideh. (Credit: Hussam Chbaro)
In a tweet, the ISF announced that the Jdeideh police station had arrested two suspects on Monday evening, D.H. (44) and T.M. (38), as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to a high-ranking judicial source contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, the public prosecutor at the Mount Lebanon Court of Appeal, Ghada Aoun, initiated proceedings on Tuesday against the owner of the establishment, whom she accused of being complicit.
She also accused one of the employees, seen in the video forcing a baby to eat, of attempted murder. Both cases have been referred to the first investigating judge in Mount Lebanon, Nicolas Mansour.
The employee who filmed the violence has been released on bail, according to the same source.
Caretaker Health Minister Firass Abiad announced Tuesday that the daycare had been placed under seal "based on confirmed data revealed by a prompt investigation into the case of child abuse," adding that this measure alone is insufficient.
#إقفال_حضانة تعنيف الأطفال بالشمع الأحمر#الابيض: ليكن العقاب عبرة لمن اعتبر
— Ministry of Public Health - Lebanon (@mophleb) July 11, 2023
صدر عن المكتب الإعلامي لوزير الصحة العامة في حكومة تصريف الاعمال فراس الابيض البيان الآتي:"بناء على قرار وزير الصحة إثر توافر معطيات مؤكدة أظهرها التحقيق السريع في قضية تعنيف أطفال في حضانة Garderêve
At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad announced that "the daycare's license has been revoked and the establishment permanently closed."
"There is no circumstance that justifies undermining the safety and well-being of children in any way, and any behavior that goes against their protection is unacceptable," Abiad said.
He also announced his intention to "set up an online platform enabling parents to check whether the daycare where they enroll their children complies with the required standards."
According to Abiad, parents will have access to detailed information concerning "the qualifications of the staff working in these nurseries, the ongoing assessments of these employees, and whether the establishment in question is equipped with surveillance cameras."
Rumors spread via social media on Monday evening that some parents of children who had attended the daycare went to the home of one employee and assaulted her. A senior ISF official denied this rumor to L'Orient-Le Jour, though said that angry parents had gone to the front of the nursery and removed its sign.
