A 24-year-old Nepalese national working at a Sydney daycare faces new charges after allegedly assaulting four young children at Panania Montessori Academy in the city’s southwest.
Initial Incident and First Arrest
Police launched an investigation after reports emerged that two boys, aged three and four, suffered face slaps while attempting to nap on April 23. Authorities arrested Jayendra Jung Shahi on April 26 in connection with the alleged assault, which CCTV footage reportedly captured.
Second Arrest and Extra Charges
Investigators returned to Shahi’s Belmore residence around 12:45 p.m. on Monday, detaining him again. They allege he assaulted two girls, also aged three and four, in a separate incident. Officers transported him to Campsie Police Station, where prosecutors filed two additional counts of common assault against him.
Court Remarks on Severity
Acting Judge Amanda Coultas-Roberts described the allegations as serious during proceedings. “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. “And whilst two of those children were sleeping, aged three and four, he slapped them across the face.”
Daycare Centre’s Response
Panania Montessori Academy, which launched operations last year, dismissed Shahi immediately after his first arrest. In a statement, the centre emphasized child safety: “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.”
