Fake Rabbi who Allegedly Feigned Illness Gets Prison for Sexually Abusing Adopted Sons

Hayim Cohen, a Texas man who gained popularity on YouTube and TikTok for portraying himself as a rabbi caring for children, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges of sexual abuse. The 40-year-old was convicted of four counts of continuous sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child. Cohen’s case unfolded as a shocking betrayal of trust, with authorities discovering he had exploited his position to abuse his adopted sons.

The Deception: A Self-Proclaimed Rabbi with a Fake Illness

For years, Cohen presented himself as a rabbi on social media, where he attracted followers by claiming to care for children, including adopting several sons. Over time, he began telling his followers that he was terminally ill and in hospice care, even sharing details of his supposed battle with a chronic illness. However, authorities soon discovered that Cohen’s claims of being both a terminally ill rabbi and a compassionate caregiver were entirely false. The truth came to light after one of Cohen’s victims reached out to an Atlanta-based podcast, using a burner phone to detail the abuse he had suffered. This led to an investigation by Houston police, who arrested Cohen in February 2023. Despite his claims of being in hospice care, medical examinations revealed no signs of illness. This deceit continued throughout his trial, as Cohen appeared in court using a wheelchair and claiming to be gravely ill, though prosecutors believe these symptoms were fabricated.

The Victims: Justice Served for the Children

Cohen’s arrest stemmed from allegations that he had abused six of his nine adopted sons. Authorities learned that while Cohen presented himself as a loving father, he was secretly abusing the boys. The abuse continued for years, taking a devastating toll on the victims. During the sentencing, Judge Lanilo Lacayo confronted Cohen about the severity of his actions, making it clear that he would spend the rest of his life behind bars. Despite Cohen’s attempts to feign illness, Lacayo stated, “You realize you are never going to get out of prison, you’re going to die in prison?” The victims’ families, while relieved by the verdict, also reflected on the trauma they endured, with one district attorney noting that it was a relief for the victims that they did not have to testify.

A Broken System: Lawsuit Against CPS

In addition to the criminal charges, two of Cohen’s victims filed a lawsuit against Texas’ Child Protective Services (CPS) and other agencies. The lawsuit alleges that CPS failed to properly vet Cohen before allowing him to adopt the children. His history of being a single man without a job, who falsely claimed to be a rabbi, raised serious red flags that went unaddressed.

Sheryl Chandler, an attorney representing the victims, criticized the foster care and adoption system in Texas, saying, “Cohen should never have been able to adopt one child, let alone nine.” The case highlights the need for more stringent vetting procedures in child adoption and foster care systems to prevent similar abuses from happening in the future.

While Cohen’s sentencing brings some closure to the victims, the ongoing legal battles over the failures of the adoption system continue to raise serious questions about the oversight of those entrusted with the care of vulnerable children.