Childcare worker accused of slapping sleeping children at Sydney childcare centre
A childcare worker who allegedly attacked two young children at a Sydney childcare center while they slept claimed she was mentally distraught, a court has heard.
A 25-year-old child care worker, who cannot be legally named, has been charged with two counts of common assault for allegedly slapping two young children in her care.
Police alleged that the man slapped two children in the face with an open palm while they were sleeping.
She was working at Panania child care center in Sydney’s south-west when the alleged incident occurred last week.
The alleged assaults were reported to Bankstown Police before he was arrested and detained at an address in Belmore at around 7.45am the next day.
The man appeared in custody via video link in the NSW Bail Division Court on Sunday, applying for bail.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Sam Adwan said bail was opposed, arguing the man was at greater risk of “endangering the safety of the community, particularly children”.
Mr Adwan said the childcare worker claimed to police she had “taken the matter a bit too far”.
He advised the court that there was CCTV footage of the alleged assaults and therefore argued there was a strong prosecution case.
Defense lawyer James Moore said his client had recently suffered a tragedy that had led to his mental state “deteriorating”.
Mr Moore claimed the man would be left “vulnerable” in detention due to his young age, mental health issues and inexperience in the custodial environment.
“(He) will almost certainly continue to suffer,” Mr. Moore said.
The lawyer said recent events and his overnight detention were the “wake-up call” the man needed; He claimed that he intended to obtain a mental health plan that would help improve his client’s mental state.
He told the court the man had no criminal history, history of violence or any criminal involvement.
Mr Moore also argued that it was “not inevitable” that he would be sentenced to prison for his alleged crime and stated that his client would appeal the charges.
“He gives no reason to doubt his willingness or ability to comply with bail,” Mr Moore said.
He said the defendant and his wife were financially responsible for their family in another country and would have to abandon their rental property if his wife was left alone to pay the bills.
Mr Moore said his client would comply with any bail conditions, including surrendering his passport, being banned from entering any child care facilities and any medical or psychiatric requirements.
The man was released on bail and ordered to surrender his passport, contact the police every Monday and seek medical treatment for his mental health from a GP within seven days.
He was also banned from entering any child care facilities, international airports or departure points from Australia.
He is due to appear in Bankstown Local Court on 9 May 2026.
