Danish Daycare Provider Sentenced to Prison for Child Assault

A daycare provider in Esbjerg, Denmark, has been sentenced to 20 days of unconditional imprisonment after being found guilty of assaulting a child. The sentence, which must be served, stems from an incident where the provider allegedly lifted a child by the scruff of their flight suit, leaving the child suspended for at least ten seconds.

Further accusations included pushing the child's head against a glass window and striking the child multiple times with a hat. These alleged acts occurred on January 20th. The court partially convicted the daycare provider, acquitting them of the charge related to striking the child with a hat. The child reportedly sustained bruises on their forehead and neck.

The provider's defense attorney, Thomas Hede Sørensen, stated that his client strongly disagrees with the verdict and has appealed to the High Court for acquittal. The court's decision was influenced by the testimony of a witness who claimed to have observed the assault. The court followed the prosecution's recommendation regarding the sentence but dismissed the request to permanently ban the provider from working with children.

Despite the conviction, the daycare provider was acquitted of the charge of being permanently banned from working with children under 18. The case is now headed to the Vestre Landsret, the Western High Court, for further proceedings. According to local media, the daycare had previously received positive assessments during pedagogical inspections, with a report from April 2025 noting a "good and pleasant atmosphere" and that the children appeared "safe."

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He strongly disagrees with the verdict and has appealed to the High Court for acquittal.