A Yerushalayim court has ordered a man suspected of intentionally contaminating baby food with sedatives to remain behind bars for another six days, as police investigate a poisoning case that began after three infants were hospitalized with alarming symptoms.
The suspect, a man in his 40s from southern Israel, is being investigated over allegations that he deliberately placed sedative substances into fruit purées produced by the Prinnok company. The Yerushalayim Magistrate’s Court approved the extension of his detention on Tuesday.
During the proceedings, Yerushalayim police representatives outlined the evidence gathered thus far and argued that investigators had linked the suspect to the alleged contamination. An investigator told the court, “We claim that the respondent was involved, in a deliberate manner and relatively close to the poisoning incident.”
The judge concluded that investigators had presented enough evidence to warrant keeping the man in custody. According to the court, the material gathered by police established a substantial degree of reasonable suspicion involving several alleged offenses, including using poison in a manner that endangered human life, negligent handling of medications and theft.
“The respondent is suspected of being involved in the deliberate poisoning of food products for infants and toddlers. The danger is obvious,” the judge ruled. The court further pointed to the extensive work that remains in the investigation, noting that police must still complete dozens of investigative steps, some of which could be compromised if the suspect were freed.
The suspect’s lawyer raised concerns about his client’s mental condition during the hearing, telling the court that the man suffers from bipolar disorder. In response, the judge directed that the suspect be evaluated by a psychiatrist at the detention facility or by the district psychiatrist. An earlier preliminary evaluation had already found him competent to remain in custody.
The man was taken into custody as police intensified their investigation into the contamination of Prinnok baby-food products. Crime Fighting Unit investigators arrested him at his residence and questioned him on suspicion that he played a role in placing the substances inside the purée jars.
The case dates back approximately two months, when three infants from the Jerusalem area were admitted to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital after displaying severe weakness and apathy. Testing of their blood revealed traces of benzodiazepines, a class of substances found in sedative and anesthetic medications used for adults, including Valium and Klonex.
Investigators subsequently discovered a common link between the three cases: Each infant had eaten different varieties of Prinnok baby-food purée purchased at separate Yerushalayim locations of the Cheap and Large retail chain. After being monitored at the hospital, all three infants were eventually discharged.
As the probe expanded, authorities discovered sedative substances in additional jars of Prinnok baby food. Police are continuing to investigate where the substances originated, precisely how they entered the products and whether anyone else may have participated in the alleged contamination.
