Sexual assaults in Paris out-of-school care: five years sought against Mickaël M.
An out-of-school care worker in the 15th arrondissement of Paris appeared on 31 August facing sexual assault charges involving nine children. The prosecution sought five years in prison, with at least one year in custody; verdict set for 15 September.
Fourth care worker tried in Paris out-of-school care scandal
Mickaël M., 38, a care worker at a primary school in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, appeared on Monday 31 August before the criminal court facing charges of "sexual assault" committed between September 2022 and January 2024. Nine children aged 6 to 9 have accused him. The prosecution sought five years in prison, with at least one year in custody, as well as five years of judicial monitoring. The decision will be handed down on 15 September.
This is the fourth care worker tried since May in the case that has shaken the Paris out-of-school care system for several months, according to TF1 Info. The hearing took place a few days after three complaints were filed against former Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and her first deputy Patrick Bloche.
An investigation that began with a complaint in January 2024
It all began on 12 January 2024 with a complaint from a mother whose 6-year-old daughter said the care worker had "touched her buttocks" on two occasions. The investigation identified other alleged victims: girls describing touching on the buttocks or genitals, in the schoolyard or during school trips.
The court president noted a "recurring modus operandi" and stressed that most of the children's statements had been deemed "credible" by experts, with no signs of "fabrication".
"I don't remember": the limited admissions of the accused
Called to testify, Mickaël M. — thin, slightly hunched in his blue suit, with his hair tied back and his face masked due to "respiratory problems" — stated in a monotone voice: "I am sorry for everything I have done, I ask forgiveness from all the victims and their families. I deeply regret everything that happened," according to an AFP journalist present at the hearing.
Questioned for seven hours by the court president, the lawyers and the prosecutor, the accused had admitted the facts during his police custody in March. At the hearing, he initially responded with long silences. When he spoke of his "shame" or his "disgust (of himself)", he repeatedly responded to questions about the facts by saying: "I don't remember", "I don't know", "I can't explain it".
Me Carine Durrieu Diebolt, lawyer for one of the civil parties, showed him a photo of one of the alleged young victims; he replied: "It rings a bell vaguely", before adding about the facts: "I don't remember anything." Me Constance Dewavrin became irritated: "You admit to the facts but you don't remember. You understand that this can pose a problem?" Mickaël M. replied: "I am not questioning the children's word. If they say it, then it must have happened. However, I cannot invent memories that I don't have."
Following the proceedings, the prosecutor stated that the accused "has great difficulty telling the truth" and that his statements constituted "admissions that do not go all the way, but for me they are admissions".
Personal circumstances
Mickaël M. is the father of a 13-year-old daughter. His wife described him during the investigation as "tender, attentive". His mother had herself been suspected of sexual assault on her granddaughter; this investigation was closed without further action. The accused states he consulted a psychologist twice since his case was referred for trial and claims these sessions helped him.
181 investigations opened, 132 care workers suspended
The Paris prosecutor's office released figures to TF1 Info on Monday: since the beginning of 2026, 132 care workers have been suspended, including 52 for "suspicions of sexual or sexual harassment violence". In the first six months of 2026, 125 complaints and reports were registered, an average of 21 per month; 22 new reports were filed in July and August. In total, 181 investigations have been opened since 2025, covering 134 nursery school establishments, and 54 investigations concern 50 primary school establishments.
Source: TF1 Info