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Last update - 15:32 06/04/2008 'The mother forced her children to eat feces, burned their hands' By Ofra Edelman and Ruth Singer-Heruti, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Israel, child abuse An indictment was issued against a Jerusalem mother of eight Sunday, alleging that she forced her children to eat feces, burned their hands with a lighter and a stove and bent their fingers, among other things. The indictment includes descriptions of various acts of abuse perpetrated by the mother against her children, mainly two of the eight. The indictment reveals an incident in which the woman had allegedly stuffed her children into a suitcase and locked them in for three days, allowing them to come out from time to time. An acquaintance of the mother's was also included in the indictment on suspicion that he participated in crimes of abuse and assault of the minors. The two were also charged with obstruction of justice after it emerged that they had synchronized their testimonies. Advertisement After the abuse was exposed some three weeks ago, the police launched an investigation into suspicions that the abuse was part of a religious belief that children can be "fixed" through violence. The police believe that similar acts of abuse are being carried out in many other homes. The severe abuse was discovered when two toddlers, aged three and four, were taken to Hadassa University Hospital in Jerusalem in serious condition. Since then, the older boy's condition has improved, but the younger boy is classified as critical and is currently in a coma. "We know of severe beatings, freezing showers, burns on a hot stove, cigarette burns, whipping and shaking," said a senior police official. Immediately after the boys' arrival at the hospital, their mother, father and two additional men living with the mother were arrested. The father and one of the other men have since been released. The police are still searching for another suspect, Shimon Gabai, who apparently fled the country, who was also present at the mother's apartment when the children were taken to the hospital. During the course of the investigation, the mother was presented over and over with pictures of her children's injuries, but on most of the days she was in remand, she did not inquire about the children nor did she ask who was taking care of them. Related articles: Parents held in case of Jerusalem child abuse U.S. asks Israel to extradite ultra-Orthodox Jew accused of child abuse Court extends remand of Ramle couple suspected of abusing their eight children Welfare Min. data shows 10,000 children at risk of parental abuse Bookmark to del.icio.us   In his father's memory Gilad Sharon's son plans to write his father's memoirs as he lies in a coma. Jammed FM Police close an English radio station which encourages Israeli-Palestinian dialogue.   1.   sick - sicker - sickest. Do same to the "mother" make her suffer 23:08  |  Sara 07/04/08

Today Online Ben-Eliezer: If Iran attacks, we will destroy it Responses: 189 U.S. evangelist pledges $6 million in contributions to Israel Responses: 145 U.S., Israel fear Iran has N. Korean nuclear know-how Responses: 126 Akiva Eldar: Time for Bush to intervene in Mideast peace talks Responses: 70 Rosner's Domain New Guest: US should revoke support for Palestinian state Pastor Hagee vs. rabbi Yoffie, round two (WTR) New poll: Yoffie or Hagee - you can vote! The popular Condi Rice (WTR) What is worth fighting for? More Headlines 21:27 Erekat: Peace process credibility 'eaten up' by settlement activities 21:50 Ben-Eliezer says if Iran attacks Israel, we will destroy it 19:36 Court rejects Katsav's plea to postpone hearing on sex charges 23:13 Ariel Sharon's son to pen memoir touching on father's life 21:46 Police close English radio aimed at Israeli-Palestinian coexistence 12:01 Polish PM: I didn't know about my grandfather's Nazi past 00:33 Friedmann lashes back at Supreme Court and Barak 21:35 Gov't mulls marking Israel's 60th anniversary with tax cut 22:42 Palestinian, 15, dies after hit by bus carrying settlers in W. Bank 21:54 UN official: Gaza medical system in 'pathetic state' 11:55 Israel okays special PA force in Jenin, but not Hebron 18:09 Beirut's largest synagogue in danger of being demolished Previous Editions Select Day 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar

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