This brave decision eventually exposed years of sickening and disturbing abuse.
The young boy revealed that he and his brothers had been sexually assaulted by their adoptive father, Hayim Nissim Cohen.
This chilling confession ultimately started a criminal investigation that led to Cohen’s arrest and conviction.
Let's get into the details
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| Hayim Nissim Cohen |
Background of the Case: How a Seemingly Normal Family Hid a Nightmare
38-year-old Hayim Nissim Cohen looked like a devoted father in Harris County, Texas.
He was born Catholic but later converted to Judaism; some even called him Rabbi.
To his neighbors and social workers, he was a kind-hearted single dad who had adopted nine boys.
At the time of his arrest, his younger sons were aged 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17, while his three adult sons were 18, 20, and 22.
He even ran a website named "Our Unique Family" where he documented their "unconventional but loving" family life.
He regularly posted smiling family photos online and wrote cheerful blog posts about his children's homeschooling adventures.
Even though authorities say he was perfectly fine, Hassim appeared disabled.
He always used a wheelchair in public and carried oxygen tanks wherever he went.
To outsiders, he was a struggling single dad who had opened his home to children in need.
But behind this carefully constructed image were many hidden secrets.
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| Hayim Nissim Cohen and his sons |
The Podcast Revelation: How the Abuse Was Exposed
The truth about Hayim Cohen's abuse finally came to light in February 2023 when one of his adopted sons called a true crime podcast using a prepaid burner phone.
During the emotional conversation, the teenager who was 17 years old at the time, revealed years of systematic abuse he and his brothers had suffered
He explained that his own sexual abuse started just weeks after his adoption when he was just 11 years old.
According to the young man, Cohen "raped" him and his brothers while maintaining control through threats and isolation.
He specifically mentioned how one of his younger brothers ran away from Cohen's house while trying to escape the abuse.
However, when the local police department found the victim, Cohen convinced them that the boy was a stubborn child who had run away.
Due to this, authorities brought the victim right back to the home where the abuse continued happening.
The teen on the podcast revealed that after being brought back, his brother faced even harsher punishment from Cohen
This terrified the other boys, and they decided to suffer in silence.
Despite this setback, the 17-year-old found the courage to try again, using the podcast as his lifeline.
After the teenagers call, the podcast hosts immediately contacted Harris County authorities.
Within 72 hours of receiving the tip, authorities executed a search warrant at Cohen's home.
Six minor children - aged 9 to 17 - were immediately removed and placed in protective custody after they confirmed the abuse.
However, the three adult sons, ages 18, 20, and 22, denied the abuse and chose to remain in Cohen's home.
This desperate call from this brave teenager ultimately broke years of silence and brought an end to the abuse.
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| Hayim Nissim Cohen and his sons |
The Missed Red Flags Before the Podcast Call
There were multiple clear red flags that should have protected these children from Hayim Cohen's abuse earlier.
Sadly, these disturbing warning signs were either ignored or not properly investigated before his crimes were finally exposed.
The first major red flag came in 2019 when Hayim Cohen was arrested for sexual assault.
A 16-year-old exchange student from Spain reported to his school teachers that Cohen sexually abused them.
Cohen was charged because of the allegations but he posted bail of $30,000 and walked free
Despite these serious allegations, Cohen was allowed to continue living with his adopted sons.
Even more troubling, he was not stopped from adopting additional children after these charges were filed.
Additionally, Child Protective Services had multiple opportunities to uncover the truth as Cohen was already on their radar.
Between 2017 and 2022, they received multiple reports from teachers, neighbors, and others concerned about the boys' wellbeing.
Due to this, Child Protective Services carried out eight separate investigations into these disturbing reports.
However, each time investigators visited the home, the boys - clearly terrified and under Cohen's control - denied any abuse.
No one seemed to question why these children appeared so fearful or why they were so isolated from the outside world.
One particularly alarming incident occurred in 2022 when Cohen's 14-year-old son ran away from home, telling deputies he was afraid to return.
Instead of thoroughly investigating his claims, authorities simply brought him back to Cohen after accepting the explanation that he was just a troubled teen acting out.
This missed opportunity could have ended the abuse years earlier.
One red flag might be explainable, but eight missed opportunities to help these boys is eight too many.
He homeschooled all the boys, cutting them off from teachers or other adults who might notice signs of abuse.
He maintained an oddly public persona, blogging about his family while hiding the terrible reality inside his home.
All these warning signs fit a clear pattern seen in other abuse cases - the isolation, the controlling behavior, the previous allegations - yet no one connected the dots until that fateful podcast call.
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| Hayim Nissim Cohen in court on a wheel chair |
How Hayim Cohen's Lies and Deception Was Exposed
After the podcast call in February 2023, Hayim Nissim Cohen was arrested.
During the criminal investigation, one of the victims told detectives that Cohen's disabilities were carefully staged.
He said the wheelchair and oxygen tanks were only used in public and when visitors came to the home.
According to the teen, this performance was designed by Cohen to make people believe he was frail and harmless.
Law enforcement thoroughly investigated and verified these claims through multiple avenues:
1) Reviewed Surveillance Footage: Detectives obtained video evidence from stores, neighbors’ security cameras, and other locations. These videos showed Cohen:
- Walking normally without assistance when he was alone.
- Carrying heavy items without difficulty.
- Not using oxygen tanks in private settings, despite his frequent public displays that he depended on it.
2) Medical Records: Authorities checked Cohen’s medical history and found no legitimate sickness that required the use of wheelchair or supplemental oxygen.
Doctors also confirmed the oxygen tanks prescribed to him were rarely refilled, suggesting they weren’t medically necessary.
3) Witness Testimonies: Neighbors admitted they only saw Cohen in a wheelchair in public, never at home. One neighbor recalled seeing him unload groceries without mobility aids just minutes after using the wheelchair at a community event.
4) Crime scene investigations: Investigators noted the wheelchairs and tanks were deliberately placed where visitors would see them. Also, dust patterns on the wheels of the wheelchair suggested it wasn't used frequently.
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| Hayim Nissim Cohen |
Justice for the Victims: The Legal Outcome
On April 7, 2025, after almost two years of trial, Cohen appeared before a Harris County judge.
According to Abc13.com, he pleaded guilty to four counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child and one count of indecency with a child.
The court handed down a 40-year prison sentence without parole for the sexual abuse charges.
He also received an additional 15 years for the indecency charge which would run concurrently with his other punishment.
This verdict ensured that the 38-year-old would spend most of his remaining life behind bars.
During the investigation, authorities discovered that Cohen's eldest adopted son, 22-year-old Avshalom Cohen, allegedly abused his younger siblings too.
In July 2023, he was also arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault against his then-14-year-old brother.
Avshalom's case ultimately exposed the full extent of the abuse within the Cohen family.
He is currently awaiting trial.
While the legal system ultimately delivered justice, the proceedings exposed multiple systemic failures.
With Cohen now imprisoned and his eldest son facing separate charges, the six minor victims have been placed in protective custody where they continue to receive counseling and support services.
The case has also led to reviews of both adoption screening processes and CPS investigation protocols in Texas.
Got a tip about a crime? Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS immediately.
You can also see how to report a crime anonymously online if you wish to remain anonymous.
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