2-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Refrigerator in Yeosu, Jeonnam

Unreported Birth Leads to Unawareness of Child's Existence During Investigation Process

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] A 2-year-old boy was found dead in a refrigerator in Yeosu, Jeonnam, prompting the police to launch an investigation.

According to Yeosu Police Station on the 30th, a 2-year-old boy was found dead in the refrigerator of a house in Yeosu City on the 27th, and the boy's mother, Ms. A (43), has been arrested on charges including child abuse and is under investigation.

According to the police, a report of child neglect was received on the 11th, and the Child Protection Agency conducted an investigation, sending Ms. A's eldest son (7) and second daughter (2) to a child shelter to separate them from their mother.

During the investigation of the siblings at the shelter on the 27th, it was confirmed through testimony that the second child was a twin and that there was another sibling.

The police conducted an emergency search of Ms. A's residence on the 27th and discovered the body of the boy in the refrigerator.

Police investigation revealed that Ms. A had only registered the birth of her son, and the twin siblings had not been registered.

When the police and child protection agency staff visited Ms. A's home on the 20th after receiving the child neglect report, only two children were present, and no one was aware of the existence of the twin boy.

Police, protection agency, and community office staff conducted an on-site investigation, but the 2-year-old boy was found cold and lifeless on the 27th, a week later.

According to Yeosu City and others, Ms. A gave birth while unmarried, registered only the eldest child’s birth, and did not register the twin siblings.

Ms. A reportedly went to work from 6 p.m. and the children were left alone until around 2 to 3 a.m.