The defense attorneys for the suspect in the baby puree sedation case stated Thursday that he is a known mental health patient. After the filing of the indictment and receipt of investigation materials, they said they will consider further legal steps. Security footage showing the suspect has been released by police.
Defense attorneys for Yan Shmela, the suspect in the baby puree sedation case, issued a statement on Thursday describing him as a "mental health patient known to the mental health system." The statement came after the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office filed a prosecutor's statement against Shmela earlier in the day, completing the investigation. The attorneys said they will consider their next legal steps after reviewing the indictment and full investigation materials. Police also released security camera footage showing Shmela in a supermarket.
The case began in June when several infants were hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem with symptoms of sedation after consuming Prinok baby fruit puree. On June 17, The Zioneer reported that Jerusalem district police were investigating suspected deliberate poisoning. By June 20, investigators increasingly believed the sedatives were deliberately introduced, with the Shin Bet joining the probe. On September 1, the public defender representing Shmela stated that he is a mental health patient in a complex emotional state and cooperating with investigators. On Thursday at 08:50, the prosecutor filed a statement of charges identifying Shmela, a 41-year-old Beersheba resident, as the suspect, and new footage showed him placing products on shelves.
As The Zioneer has reported, Shmela is accused of injecting benzodiazepines—prescription sedatives—into individual jars of Prinok baby puree sold at Zol VeGadol branches in Jerusalem. The investigation, led by Jerusalem district police with Shin Bet involvement, utilized extensive surveillance and forensic analysis.
The motive for the alleged act remains under investigation. The defense attorneys have not yet indicated whether they will seek to challenge the indictment or pursue alternative legal avenues given the suspect's mental health status.
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