A childcare worker who allegedly slapped two toddlers across the face while they were asleep has been granted bail. Jayendra Jung Shahi, 24, is accused of striking a three-year-old boy and a four-year-old boy with an open hand during nap time at approximately 1pm on Thursday at Panania Montessori Academy in Sydney's south-west.
Police reported that the alleged incident was captured on CCTV footage. A parent reportedly notified authorities on Friday, leading to Shahi's arrest at a home in Belmore on Saturday morning. He faces two counts of common assault.
During a bail hearing on Sunday, Acting Judge Amanda Coultas-Roberts highlighted the gravity of the allegations. 'They are pretty serious examples of common assault, as they were committed in circumstances where the accused was meant to care for children in a childcare centre,' she stated, as cited by 7News. 'And whilst two of those children were sleeping, aged three and four, he slapped them across the face.'
Shahi's wife submitted an affidavit indicating that her husband's mental health had declined following recent family tragedies. The court heard that Shahi, a Nepalese national who has lived in Australia for seven years, was working towards permanent residency and earned a diploma in early childhood education in 2025.
His lawyer, James Moore, argued that his client required mental health support. Acting Judge Coultas-Roberts granted bail under the conditions that Shahi surrender his passport and refrain from entering any childcare facilities. His employment with Montessori Academy has been terminated.
A spokesperson for Montessori Academy stated: 'We take any concerns of this nature extremely seriously, and the safety, health and wellbeing of children is always our highest priority. As soon as we became aware of the allegation, immediate action was taken including standing down the educator and reporting the matter to the police and regulatory authority. We have since terminated the educator's employment.'
Shahi is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
