Paris nursery abuse probe expands as 16 staff held over extended custody

Published on 21/05/2026 - 10:00 GMT+2

In France, the investigation into sexual violence at an after-school care centre in Paris is gathering pace. On Wednesday evening, 16 people who worked at the Saint Dominique state nursery school in the capital's 7th arrondissement had their police custody extended.

The suspects, aged between 18 and 68, are being questioned for offences ranging from rape to behaviour described as excessive or violent.

In total, the Paris public prosecutor's office is investigating possible violence in 84 nursery schools, around twenty elementary schools and around ten crèches.

Since the beginning of 2026, 78 municipal employees have been suspended, including 31 for suspected sexual violence.

Emmanuel Grégoire, who initiateda €20 millionplan to combat sexual abuse in the extracurricular sector, welcomed the "acceleration of investigations".

The affair has taken on a new dimension following revelations published on Monday by Le Parisien. The newspaper claims that a teacher who was indicted in 2025 for sexually abusing 3 minors in a Paris school had already been taken into custody in 2024 for similar acts reported in a neighbouring school.

Emmanuel Grégoire is now promising to impose sanctions, tighten up recruitment procedures and improve the traceability of staff.