Algerian nanny goes on trial over alleged poisoning of Jewish family in Paris

A 42-year-old nanny from Algeria, known as Leïla Y, is on trial in France after trying to poison the Parisian Jewish family that she worked for, the French daily Le Parisien reported. The nanny who was employed to care for the family’s three young children, reportedly mixed toxic material into the food that she prepared. The Algerian national is believed to have been motivated by antisemitic views.

In February 2024, the suspect was detained by French authorities and charged with “administering a harmful substance resulting in incapacity exceeding eight days, committed on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion.”

French investigators have revealed that the Algerian woman’s visa expired so she secured the job by falsifying a Belgian identity card. 

On Jan. 30, the family’s mother informed the police that she believed the nanny had put cleaning fluid into her wine and the grape juice in the refrigerator foamed and smelled of bleach. The mother also noticed that a pasta dish suddenly had a strong “perfume” aroma. 

In early February, the family’s 5-year-old daughter informed her mother that she had seen the nanny pour soapy substance into a kosher alcohol bottle labeled “Jerusalem.” 

Toxicology tests later confirmed that harmful chemical agents like polyethylene glycol had been detected in wine, whisky, juice and pasta in the family’s home. However, the chemicals were not considered capable of causing death. The initial charge of attempted poisoning was therefore changed to “administering a harmful substance resulting in incapacity exceeding eight days.” 

The Algerian suspect reportedly made antisemitic remarks when questioned by investigators. 

“Because they have money and power, I should never have worked for a Jewish woman,” the suspect reportedly told the investigators. “She only brought me trouble."

However, Leïla Y’s defense lawyer claimed that the client was driven by financial jealously rather than antisemitism. The nanny defended her criminal actions by claiming that they constituted a “punishment” and “warning” in response to alleged disputes over payment. 

“I was angry, they disrespected me,” the Algerian woman told French police according to the report. “I knew it might cause them pain, but not enough to kill them,” she added. 

Despite denials of antisemitism, the report revealed evidence that the Algerian woman displayed hostile interest in the family’s Jewish religion. For instance, police discovered that the suspect had searched online for the family’s identity with Google searches such as “Berber Jewish women” and “religious practices of Judaism.”

The family’s children also revealed that the nanny frequently asked them questions about Jewish traditions and reportedly knocked on mezuzot – small cases with sacred parchment that are affixed to doorways in Jewish homes. Despite the evidence, the woman reportedly denied her interest in Judaism and behavior. 

Furthermore, a security guard at the child’s Jewish school revealed that the nanny made antisemitic comments about Jews and money. “They have money, they can give it to me,” the nanny reportedly said. 

The Jewish family addressed the controversy on condition of anonymity. 

“We don’t want her to be able to return,” the family’s mother said, adding that if the nanny is convicted, she should be expelled from France. “It’s not revenge. It’s to end the fear.”

France is home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities. Antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents have soared in France following the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, massacre. 

Robert Ejnes, the head of France’s largest Jewish umbrella organization, CRIF, warned in August that rising levels of antisemitism in France could potentially push many French Jews to emigrate to Israel and other countries. 

“There is a very strong rise in antisemitism since October 7,” Ejnes said. “The extreme left has made Gaza a major political argument in their campaigns. And they're really pushing for the hate of Israel – and by the way, the hate of the Jews."