Caretaker and Nurse Assaulted Vulnerable Children at 'Children's Home': Details

On August 15, 2024, a report was received from the director of 'Children's Home' state institution regarding the cruel treatment of young children by the caretaker and nurse of the institution. This was announced by the Investigative Committee.

To verify the mentioned circumstances, necessary actions were taken, which revealed several circumstances subject to investigation within the framework of a criminal case. Therefore, a criminal case was initiated at the Shirak Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee.

The investigation has obtained factual data indicating that the caretaker and nurse of the mentioned institution, while being obligated to treat the lives and health of the underage children who depend on them ethically, inflicted severe physical pain and intense psychological suffering on them. Specifically, during the performance of their duties, taking advantage of the fact that the children were in a helpless state—due to illness, age, physical weakness, and psychological and physiological characteristics that prevented them from defending themselves—the nurse displayed criminal behavior towards children aged 7-10 years, who have 'Rubenstein-Taybi syndrome' and 'Down syndrome,' between March 7 and March 15, 2024, as well as on August 11.

In the presence of the group of children, the mentioned individuals exhibited rough treatment, striking them with their hands and feet, pushing them, and jerking them several times by grabbing them from behind their clothes, tossing them roughly into the playground's enclosure, thereby restricting their movement and causing several of the children severe physical pain and intense psychological suffering.

Based on sufficient evidence, public criminal prosecution has been initiated against the aforementioned employees of the institution under Articles 196 (2) (3) and (6) of the RA Criminal Code, and they have been charged. A measure of restraint in the form of house arrest and a prohibition on leaving has been applied against them. The pre-trial investigation continues.