Abusive mother gets 4 years in jail
Beit Shemesh woman convicted of severely abusing six of her 12 children sentenced to four years in prison; husband to serve six-month term
The Jerusalem District Court sentenced a Beit Shemesh woman convicted of severely abusing six oh her 12 children to four years in prison Tuesday. The children's father was sentenced to six months in jail.
The woman, dubbed "Taliban mom," was convicted of abuse of a minor and aggravated assault. Her husband was convicted of abuse, assault and failing to report abuse.
The woman's conduct stemmed from a radical religious routine she imposed upon herself. As part of her conduct, she has completely covered her body and her face – concealing them even from her children for years.
Both the woman and her husband were convicted of abusing the children over a period of nine years. The children were beaten with various objects, whipped with belts and locked outside the house at night if they dared defy their parents.
According to one of the counts in the indictment, the woman poured bleach on her one of her sons' soccer uniform and put out a match on his skin after he went playing without her permission.
The court also found that the children were ignored for prolonged periods of time.
The woman's trial was held behind closed doors. She refused to testify and once convicted, her children appealed to the court's mercy, asking for leniency for both their parents.
Justice Nava Ben-Or explained her ruling by saying the parents "no longer pose a threat to their children." since the majority of the 12 were no adults.
The court, she said, must also consider the possibility of woman's rehabilitation: "The court psychiatrist found that her beliefs are unshakable… But since she is not mentally ill, she cannot be placed in a psychiatric institution."
The Prison Service was ordered to try and facilitate the woman's beliefs and lifestyle as best it can.
Turning her attention to the father, Justice Ben-Or said that "he is apparently making substantial efforts to rebuild his children's lives and the Probation Service feels he plays a significant role in his younger children's lives."
The woman's attorney told Ynet that "compared with the severity of the conviction, the court seemed to give the children's position true consideration. The sentence is still harsh. My client did not think she would have to spend even one day in prison."
