Paris Périscolaire: Prosecutors appeal the acquittal of a former activity leader

Paris – 09.07.2026: The Paris public prosecutor’s office has appealed the acquittal of a former activity leader in the Paris extracurricular sector. On Tuesday, the criminal court acquitted the man of allegations of sexual abuse involving several children at École maternelle Alphonse-Baudin. The court cited very serious doubts and insufficient physical evidence as grounds. Separately, the court upheld partial convictions for harassment of female colleagues.

The defendant is listed in the documents as David G. and was charged with offenses involving nine children aged between three and five. The alleged acts are said to have occurred between September 2024 and April 2025. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the appeal was filed within the deadline; at first instance, the prosecution had requested a three-year prison sentence, including one year to be served. The appeal means that the evidence and legal issues in the case will be reviewed again by a higher court, and further assessment of testimony and existing clues may take place.

The case is linked to the situation in the Paris extracurricular sector, where tensions have persisted for months. Since the beginning of 2026, numerous employees have been suspended as a precaution, and several investigative and court proceedings are underway. The city government has strengthened internal controls and published an interim update on disciplinary measures. At the political level, a cross-party working group is examining selection procedures, supervision and reporting systems, while a parliamentary review of the structures has also begun. The aim is to close protection gaps and clarify mandatory standards for recruitment, training and supervision.

Parent representatives and affected families reacted differently to the ruling: some stressed strict adherence to the principle of “in doubt, for the accused,” while others called for faster preventive measures and clear information-sharing among schools, operators and authorities. Legally, the presumption of innocence still applies. If the appellate court upholds the acquittal, the partial convictions for harassment will remain in place; if it reaches a different decision, a new sentence may be imposed.

The public prosecutor’s office pointed to the particular vulnerability of children and emphasized the need to design institutional procedures robustly. At the same time, legal experts stress that the statements of very young children require particular care during questioning and assessment. The date of the scheduled appeal hearing has not yet been made public. Until then, internal reviews will continue at the relevant institutions, alongside child-protection training, clear escalation pathways, and guidance for parents on how to report suspicious situations.