After Checking CCTV Footage, Police Report Filed
"Entered Despite Notification of CCTV Installation"
A postpartum helper holding a newborn's foot and lifting it upside down. / Photo by Internet Community Capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] In Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, a postpartum caregiver was reported to have abused a 20-day-old baby by grabbing the baby's ankle and lifting them upside down, prompting the police to launch an investigation.
The Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency announced on the 26th that they are investigating a woman in her 50s, identified as postpartum caregiver A, on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act.
A is accused of grabbing the ankle of baby B, who was 20 days old, and lifting the baby upside down while taking care of him at a home in Cheongbuk-eup, Pyeongtaek City on the 24th.
The parents of baby B discovered the abuse after reviewing footage from a closed-circuit television (CCTV) installed inside their home the following day (the 25th) and reported it to the police.
The police plan to investigate the detailed circumstances of the incident by questioning A.
The case sparked public outrage after a netizen, known to be baby B’s aunt, posted about it on an online community.
On the 25th, a post titled "Government-supported postpartum caregiver abusing a 20-day-old newborn" was uploaded on the online community 'Bobae Dream'.
The netizen, who identified herself as baby B’s aunt, shared CCTV footage showing a postpartum caregiver taking care of the baby at a house in Cheongbuk New Town, Pyeongtaek, saying, "This is my 20-day-old nephew."
The police have launched an investigation into Ms. A, a postpartum caregiver in her 50s, who is accused of abusing a 20-day-old baby. / Photo by Yonhap News
The footage shows the postpartum caregiver grabbing the baby’s ankle with one hand and lifting the baby upside down.
Regarding this, the netizen expressed outrage, saying, "The baby's mother was physically exhausted and also had to care for her first son, so they hired a government-supported postpartum caregiver. The parents were all in the master bedroom and had even notified about the CCTV installation, yet the caregiver blatantly lifted the baby like that."
She added, "We were told she was an experienced and popular caregiver recommended to us. Fortunately, my nephew seems to have no problems, but according to a specialist, the baby is too young to do much now, so they plan to conduct a detailed examination again after three months."
She continued, "The baby's parents are mentally devastated right now," criticizing A by saying, "She reassured the baby's mother not to worry when in front of her, but was a demon when out of sight."
She concluded, "I hope this person never works in any child-related place again."
Netizens who saw the post and video reacted with anger, commenting, "How can a postpartum caregiver treat a newborn like that?", "Is this really something that happened? It's hard to believe," "My heart almost stopped," and "How do they even select postpartum caregivers?"
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