Medical Staff: "It Cannot Be Anything But Abuse"... Parents Deny Charges
On the 21st, YTN reported that a 47-day-old infant was found dead with a fractured skull in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province, six months ago. Photo by YTN.
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] It was revealed belatedly that an infant aged 47 days died with a fractured skull in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province six months ago.
According to reports from YTN and the police on the 21st, a report was received around 4:30 a.m. on July 6 last year that the baby was not breathing.
The 47-day-old infant was transported to the hospital while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation from paramedics in a state of cardiac arrest, but ultimately died after receiving treatment for skull fractures and brain hemorrhages.
However, medical staff confirmed signs suspected of abuse from CT scans taken after the infant's death. Multiple fractures were found in several parts of the infant's skull, and brain hemorrhages appeared in multiple areas. The hemoglobin level had dropped to one-third.
The medical staff explained, "This is a serious injury that cannot occur from just one fall," and added, "It cannot be anything other than abuse."
The mother reportedly asked the medical staff, "I hit the baby's back hard the day before. Could that cause death?"
The medical staff reported the child abuse to the police, but during the police investigation, the parents denied the abuse charges.
On the 21st, YTN reported that a 47-day-old infant was found dead with a fractured skull in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province, six months ago. Photo by YTN Broadcast Screen Capture.
In the police investigation, the mother stated, "The baby choked while drinking formula and then stopped breathing, so I called 119." However, there were also statements that the mother suffered from postpartum depression.
The police applied for an arrest warrant for the mother on charges of child abuse resulting in death, and the father was booked on charges of neglect.
However, the court dismissed the warrant, citing disputes over the charges and insufficient evidence regarding the motive and method of the crime.
The case is currently being investigated by the prosecution after the police investigation.
The parents deny the charges, saying, "We drank a lot at the time and were intoxicated, so we don't remember why our son ended up like this."
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