Rabat– A criminal court at the Al Hoceima Court of Appeal has sentenced a former daycare worker to 10 years in prison after finding her guilty of sexually assaulting a minor using violence.
The ruling followed a complaint filed by the child’s mother, who accused the woman of sexually assaulting her son while he was under her care during the family’s absence.
According to converging reports about the case, the woman had been responsible for looking after the child and providing childcare when his family was away. The mother’s complaint prompted legal proceedings against the former daycare worker.
The defendant had been standing trial while released pending the court’s decision. After examining the case, the Criminal Chamber of First Instance found her guilty of the acts attributed to her and sentenced her to 10 years in prison. The court also overturned an earlier order to return the absent-party proceedings.
In its ruling on the civil claim, the court ordered the convicted woman to pay MAD 60,000 in compensation to the victim for the damages resulting from the case.
The court further ordered her to cover legal costs, with compulsory imprisonment set at the minimum legal term.
The case has also raised broader questions about compliance with legal and regulatory requirements at childcare facilities, as well as the effectiveness of monitoring and oversight mechanisms intended to protect children from neglect and abuse.
It has renewed calls for the relevant authorities to strengthen inspections of nurseries and childcare centers and ensure that they meet the necessary safety and protection standards. These include verifying the professional qualifications of childcare workers and ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect children in their care.
