A 25-year-old childcare worker has been charged with assaulting two sleeping toddlers after allegedly slapping them while they napped at a childcare centre in Sydney’s southwest, a court has heard.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, faces two counts of common assault following the alleged incident at a Panania childcare centre. Police allege he struck the sleeping children with an open palm, with prosecutors telling the court that CCTV footage had captured the alleged assault, according to News Corp.
He was arrested shortly before 8am on Saturday at a Belmore address near the centre and appeared before court the following day, where prosecutors opposed bail on the grounds that he posed a danger to the community, particularly to children.
His defence lawyer argued that a single night in custody had served as a “wake-up call” and described his client as vulnerable given his lack of any prior experience with the justice system. The court heard the man’s mental health had “briefly deteriorated” around the time of the alleged incident. His lawyer also noted that he has a wife, and that the couple support family members financially overseas. The defendant offered to surrender his passport as a condition of release.
Bail was granted on the conditions that he surrender his passport, report to police weekly and undergo mental health treatment. He is also prohibited from attending any childcare centres or airports.
The case is due to return to court on 9 May.
