Convicted Babysitter Indicted for Sexual Assault on 18 Children in Northern France

A 37-year-old babysitter has been indicted and placed in pre-trial detention in Lille, France, for allegedly raping or sexually assaulting 18 children aged two months to five years between March 2023 and December 2025. The suspect, who was already convicted in 2020 for sexual assault against a minor and banned from contacting children, continued to offer childcare services via an online platform. Despite being registered in the judicial file of sexual offenders (Fijais) and having his monitoring restrictions strengthened in May 2025, he cared for children in at least 44 families. The investigation began after a mother filed a complaint in late 2025. Authorities also charged him with possessing images of animal sexual abuse. As a repeat offender, he faces life imprisonment. The case has sparked debate over background check obligations for private childcare platforms, with officials noting that while platforms are not required to verify records, parents can request criminal record extracts. Victim support services have been offered to all affected families as investigations continue to identify potential additional victims.