Alleged baby killer may be released

Probation officers determine Valis does not pose a danger to the public.

By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
haredi riots 298.88 (photo credit: Channel 2)
haredi riots 298.88
(photo credit: Channel 2)
A 19-year old haredi man suspected of beating his three-month old infant to death is expected to be released on bail Tuesday after probation officers determined that he does not pose a danger to the public, Justice Ministry officials said Monday. The suspected baby killer, Yisrael Valis, is facing manslaughter charges for allegedly repeatedly biting, beating, pinching and punching the infant since he was born because he "did not accept him" due to a defect the child was born with in his neck muscles, police said.
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Valis was arrested earlier this month after he admitted during police questioning to repeatedly beating his child. His arrest has led to days of haredi rioting in Jerusalem, after extremist leaders in the haredi community - which the prominent Valis family was part of - accused police of concocting a "blood libel" identical to European blood libels against the Jews. The baby died in Jerusalem hospital earlier this month, days after his father allegedly hurled the baby against the wall when he started to cry. The alleged baby killer, who has been remanded in custody until Tuesday ahead of his arraignment in the Jerusalem District Court, is now expected to be placed under house arrest after probation officers determined that he does not pose a danger to the public, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity, ahead of the official announcement in the Jerusalem courtroom Tuesday morning. The largely expected evaluation that the young father does not pose a danger to the public was made since Valis has no other children and no past criminal record. The alleged child killer's expected release from his Jerusalem detention cell is bound to be welcomed by haredi leaders who have worked around the clock to garner his release, despite the severe charges he is facing in his upcoming trial.