The trial comes amid a media debate on private childcare. On Monday 23 September, suspended prison sentences of six and twelve months were requested against the former director and a former employee of a People & Baby establishment tried in Lille for violence against children, following a closed hearing.
In front of a packed room at the start of the hearing, the defense attorneys requested dismissal, requesting “extract this essay from the promotion of a book” and denouncing a “Media steamroller”.
The trial took place after the release of Ogres by Victor Castanet, an investigation that denounces the model low cost of several private nursery groups, in particular People & Baby. But the court decided to continue the process, considering that it is “It is time to judge this case”while granting a closed-door session at the request of the civil parties.
The defendants are charged with intentional physical and psychological violence, without incapacity, against nine children at the nursery school located in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, on the outskirts of Lille. The civil parties describe food deprivation, humiliation, isolation and, in some cases, suspicions of physical abuse.
“Inappropriate attitudes and gestures”
The prosecution requested a six-month suspended prison sentence for the 48-year-old former nursery director, who was charged with violence against three children, who appeared with a remorseful face and a black jacket over her shoulders. Twelve months of suspended prison were required for the 35-year-old former nurse, with her hair in a red braid, accused of violence against eight children. The prosecution also asked the Lille court to order a five-year suspension for the two defendants.
Thanking everyone for the time given to describe the alleged facts, Mr.my Alexandre Schmitzberger, lawyer for the civil parties, estimated that “It is definitely a relief for families”.
The two women are suspected of having adopted. “inappropriate attitudes and actions for caring for a small child”the court recalled on Monday. They are discussing these facts. “What was pointed out was the lack of training, perhaps fatigue”reported at the end of the hearing Mmy Florent Mereau, another civil party lawyer.
“These are children who have just come home from daycare with a bruise that disappears after a few days”pointed out Mmy Alexandre Schmitzberger, highlighting the expectations of the families, five years after the events. “We have children who develop psychomotor disorders, behavioral disorders, who are delayed in development. (…) sometimes two years. »
“An emblematic trial” for Victor Castanet
The former nurse’s lawyer, M.my Fatima En-Nih widely criticized the investigative book by journalist Victor Castanet, which dedicates several chapters to the Villeneuve-d’Ascq nursery. “For several days now, all our energy has been focused on avoiding the press”he insisted.
The journalist went to court promising to provide support to the families. “This trial is clearly emblematic because it reveals the dysfunctions of this group and, more broadly, of a certain number of groups in this sector.”he declared before the numerous cameras present.
The civil parties, however, pointed out that this trial was not that of the People & Baby group. “There is no talk of revenge, stoning or media recovery here”underline Mmy Patricio Lambert. Represents a family with two children who are denouncing “Psychological abuse, isolation, poor nutrition” but also suspicions of physical violence, a child who has “She was found with a bump on her forehead”.
“Today my son is 8 years old and has psychological problems”A father who filed a civil suit also told Agence France-Presse, accusing the nursing assistant of having locked his son in the dark. According to him, the consequences are multiple: aggression, difficulties at school, fear of the dark, anxiety.
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