The alleged incident was reportedly caught on CCTV footage at the center

NEED TO KNOW

• A childcare worker in Australia was arrested and charged after allegedly slapping two boys, ages 3 and 4, in his care
• CCTV footage of the incident reportedly showed the children being struck while they slept
• The worker has since been released on bail with conditions, and his attorney said he plans to seek mental health support

A childcare worker was arrested and charged after allegedly slapping two young children in his care.

Police said they received a report that a childcare worker assaulted two boys, ages 3 and 4, at a childcare center in Panania, a suburb of Sydney, on Friday, April 24, according to a media release from the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force.

The incident occurred at the center the day before, on Thursday, April 23, at approximately 1 p.m. local time.

The man, who was later identified as Jayendra Jung Shahi, 24, allegedly slapped the boys in the face with an open hand, per the release.

Following an investigation, police arrested Shahi the morning of Saturday, April 25, and he has since been charged with two counts of assault, according to the NSW Police.

The alleged incident occurred at the Montessori Academy, which educates children ages 0 to 6, according to 9 News and 7 News Australia.

A parent made the initial complaint, and CCTV footage at the center allegedly showed Shahi slapping the children while they slept, per 9 News and the Sydney Morning Herald.

In a statement to 9 News, a spokesperson for the Montessori Academy said the worker was removed from his duties and that the center immediately reported the matter to the police and regulatory authority.

“We have since terminated the educator's employment,” the spokesperson added, per the outlet.

Shahi, who is originally from Nepal and has been living in Australia for seven years, was released on bail due to the fact that he has no prior criminal history and on the condition that he does not visit childcare centers and surrenders his passport, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

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Shahi’s attorney, James Moore, told the court that his client needed mental health support and said Shahi plans to seek counseling whether or not the court mandates it, per the outlet.

Moore did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on the case.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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