Swiss daycare worker accused of abusing 15 toddlers in shocking case

A 33-year-old daycare group leader in Switzerland has been accused of sexually abusing at least 15 children across two facilities. The case came to light after his arrest in February 2024 on charges of possessing child pornography. Investigators later uncovered video recordings allegedly documenting the abuse, with victims ranging from one to four years old. The accused worked at two daycare centres where child protection policies were already in place when he was hired. Despite these rules, concerns have been raised about whether junior staff would feel confident challenging a senior colleague's behaviour. Most of the abused children were girls.

Tamara Parham, deputy director of Child Protection Switzerland, has called for stricter legal requirements. She argues that daycare centres should be legally obligated to implement and regularly inspect child protection measures. Parham also urges parents to ask detailed questions about how these policies are applied in practice when enrolling their children.

In 2023, nearly 40% of Swiss children under 13 attended daycare, with centres operating at an average occupancy rate of 82%. Parham stresses that safety must remain a priority, even when demand for places is high. The case has prompted calls for mandatory oversight of child protection policies in Swiss daycare centres. Authorities are now reviewing whether current safeguards are strong enough to prevent similar incidents. The accused remains in custody as the investigation continues.