Teacher Arrested for Biting 3-Year-Old at Daycare in Edirne
Teachers in Turkey
A disturbing incident in the northwestern Turkish province of Edirne has shocked parents and sparked outrage after a 26-year-old daycare teacher was arrested for allegedly biting a 3-year-old girl under her care.
The event took place at a private daycare center, where the child, identified by her initials L.K., was reportedly bitten on the arm by her teacher, N.D.. The case has since led to the teacher’s dismissal and detention on charges of “intentional injury against a person unable to defend herself physically or mentally.”
According to reports, the child’s father, Y.K., discovered the incident when he arrived to pick up his daughter. Hearing her crying, he asked what was wrong. The young girl told him that her teacher had bitten her arm. Shocked by the statement, the father examined his daughter’s arm and was stunned to find visible bite marks.
Y.K. immediately reported the situation to the Republic Police Department, filing a formal complaint against the teacher. The authorities swiftly detained N.D. for questioning.
“It Happened While I Was Showing Affection”
During her statement to the police, N.D. claimed that the incident occurred accidentally, insisting she had no intention of harming the child. “It happened while I was showing affection,” she said, expressing regret and describing the event as a misunderstanding rather than deliberate violence.
Despite her explanation, the daycare management terminated her employment immediately following the investigation. The police then referred N.D. to the Criminal Court of Peace, where prosecutors charged her with “deliberate injury to a person incapable of self-defense.”
The court ordered her arrest and transfer to prison pending trial.
Public Reaction and Legal Context
The case has triggered widespread public condemnation, reigniting discussions about child safety standards in private daycare centers and the mechanisms for monitoring teacher conduct. Many parents in Edirne expressed concern over the lack of supervision in early childhood institutions and called for stricter background checks and psychological evaluations for caregivers.
Legal experts note that the crime N.D. is accused of — intentional injury against a defenseless person — carries a heavier penalty under Turkish criminal law due to the victim’s age and vulnerability. The case could set an example for tighter accountability in the private education and childcare sectors.
Authorities have since launched an administrative investigation into the daycare center to ensure compliance with childcare regulations.
As the legal process continues, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance and compassion in childcare institutions, where even small moments of negligence or emotional misjudgment can have lasting impacts on a child’s well-being.
