Paris Périscolaire: prosecutor’s office appeals animator’s acquittal

Paris – 09.07.2026: The Paris prosecutor’s office has appealed the acquittal of a former activity leader from the Paris Périscolaire sector. On Tuesday, the criminal court found the man not guilty of charges of sexual harassment involving several children at École maternelle Alphonse-Baudin. In its decision, the panel cited very substantial doubts and insufficient material evidence. At the same time, the court upheld a partial conviction for harassment of colleagues.

The defendant, identified in the case files as David G., was accused of allegedly committing acts against nine children aged three to five. The allegations concern the period from September 2024 to April 2025. According to the prosecutor’s office, the appeal was filed on time; at first instance, the prosecution had sought a three-year prison sentence, including one year without suspension. The appeal proceedings will review the evidentiary and legal situation again at a higher instance; additional assessments of testimony and the available grounds are also possible.

The case is taking place against the backdrop of months of tension in Paris’s Périscolaire sector. Since the beginning of 2026, numerous employees have been temporarily suspended, and several investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing. The city administration has strengthened internal controls and published interim results regarding disciplinary measures. At the political level, a cross-party working group is working on staff selection, oversight and reporting systems, while a parliamentary review of the structures has also been initiated. The aim is to close protection gaps and clarify mandatory standards for selection, training and supervision.

Parent representatives and affected families reacted differently to the verdict: some emphasized strict adherence to the principle of “in doubt, for the accused,” while others called for faster preventive steps and clear communication channels between schools, organizers and authorities. Legally, the presumption of innocence continues to apply. If the appellate court upholds the acquittal, the partial conviction for harassment will remain in force; if it reaches a different decision, the penalties may be reconsidered.

The prosecutor’s office emphasizes the particular vulnerability of children and the need to make institutional procedures more robust. Lawyers, meanwhile, stress that testimony from very young children requires particular caution during questioning and assessment. The date of the appeal hearing has not yet been announced. Until then, internal reviews are continuing at the affected institutions, accompanied by child protection training, clearer escalation pathways and guidance for parents on how to report suspicions.