In a shocking case that has drawn widespread attention, Haim Nim Cohen, a man who falsely claimed to be a terminally ill rabbi and a foster father to vulnerable boys, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing several of the children in his care. Prosecutors revealed that Cohen’s public persona as a selfless guardian was a facade that concealed a disturbing reality of exploitation and abuse.

Cohen, who had garnered nearly 200,000 followers on TikTok under the account “Our Unique Family,” portrayed himself as a devoted father and community leader. His narrative painted a picture of a man on a mission to rescue Orthodox Jewish children from the Texas foster care system, a story that captivated social media audiences. However, this illusion began to unravel when serious allegations of abuse surfaced.

The court proceedings revealed that Cohen was not a rabbi and had no legitimate rabbinical credentials. Born Jeffrey Ljan Veil, he had legally changed his name multiple times, creating an elaborate backstory to support his claims. His troubles with the law began in 2019 when he was charged with indecency with a child involving a foreign exchange student, but he remained free on bond and retained custody of his adopted sons.

In February 2023, a pivotal moment occurred when one of Cohen’s sons, then 17 years old, reached out to an Atlanta-based podcast to disclose the abuse he had suffered since being adopted at the age of eleven. This brave revelation prompted law enforcement to investigate further, leading to a raid on Cohen’s home. Authorities discovered a hospice care provider attending to him, although medical assessments later found no evidence to support his claims of terminal illness.

During the investigation, it became evident that Cohen had used manipulation tactics to maintain control over the children, subjecting them to physical and emotional abuse. Allegations detailed horrifying accounts of Cohen forcing the boys to engage in sexual acts, sometimes using threats and coercion. In addition to the seven adopted sons who alleged abuse, Cohen’s past included charges related to another victim—a foreign exchange student from Spain who had reported similar abuses.

On April 7, Cohen was sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple counts of continuous sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child. His 40-year sentence, to be served concurrently, means he will not be eligible for parole, effectively ensuring he will spend the remainder of his life in prison should he survive the sentence. The presiding judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that Cohen’s actions had irreparably harmed the lives of the boys he was supposed to protect.

In the wake of Cohen’s conviction, Child Protective Services (CPS) faces scrutiny for their failure to act on previous allegations against him. Reports indicated that CPS had received multiple complaints about Cohen but did not take appropriate action. The systemic failures within child protective services have prompted discussions about the need for reform to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

As Cohen begins his lengthy prison sentence, his victims, now in state care, are left to grapple with the psychological and emotional scars of their experiences. Legal experts and advocates for child welfare have expressed hope that this case will serve as a catalyst for change within the child welfare system, ensuring that future cases of abuse are addressed more effectively and that children are protected from individuals like Cohen who exploit the foster care system for their own gain.

The story of Haim Nim Cohen is a cautionary tale of betrayal, manipulation, and the urgent need for vigilance in the protection of vulnerable children. As the community grapples with the fallout, the focus now shifts to healing for the victims and accountability for those who failed to safeguard their wellbeing.