The nursery director is also accused of running her facility without a licence, read a statement by the prosecution.

According to the testimonies of four parents, who have medical certificates documenting the use of violence against their children, the nursery director used to slap and hit the children incessantly, causing some injuries among them, the prosecution added.

The parents also submitted photos and videos proving the violence practised against their children.

An expert from the National Council For Childhood and Motherhood, who was delegated by the prosecution to carry out an independent probe into the incident, confirmed that the children had been physically and mentally abused by the nursery director.

Alexandria's Social Solidarity Directorate  told the prosecution the nursery is not affiliated to the Ministry of Social Solidarity nor listed in its records.

The incident went viral on social media after Sarah Mostafa, the mother of one of the abused children, revealed that she had received a phone call from a former teacher at the nursery saying her three-year-old daughter was being beaten by the director.

Three days ago, Mostafa wrote on Facebook she had listened to an audio clip of the abuse and recognised the voice of her crying daughter. She posted the audio clip that went viral.

Mostafa added that when she confronted the nursery director with the audio recording, the latter said she beated her hands, not her body, because the child failed to express her need to go to the bathroom.

The mother and other parents, who found out that their children were exposed to the same abuse, filed reports against the nursery administration to the Public Prosecution.

The nursery director denied all the charges, the prosecution said, but admitted to not obtaining any certificates in education or children’s development. Accordingly, the prosecution ordered she be remanded in custody under investigation. 

According to the Egyptian penal code, teachers who beat students and cause permanent injuries could receive a jail sentence ranging from three to 25 years depending on the damage they cause to the victim.