East Jerusalem father arrested on suspicion of stabbing to death daughter, aged 3

Suspect, in his 30s, fled scene, but police located him a short time later; media reports divorced man has history of mental health issues

Police at the scene where a 3-year-old girl was stabbed to death and her father arrested as the main suspect, in Sur Baher, July 7, 2025 (Israel Police)

A man was arrested on suspicion of killing his three-year-old daughter in the Sur Baher neighborhood of East Jerusalem early Monday morning, Israel Police said.

According to the statement, emergency services were called at around 4 a.m. and medics declared the child’s death on the scene.

Her father, a resident of the neighborhood in his 30s and who was apparently with her earlier, had fled the scene but was located and detained by cops a short time later.

Magen David Adom medics who attended the scene reported the girl had stab wounds to her upper body. She was unconscious and showing no vital signs when they found her, and they declared her dead.

According to Hebrew media reports, the child’s parents are divorced and she was staying with her father as part of a visitation agreement.

The Kan public broadcaster reported that the child’s father has a history of mental health issues, but was not considered to be violent. It was his own brother who reported the stabbing to the police.

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