"Half a Year Since the 'Jeongin Incident'... This Time, a 2-Month-Old Girl Suffers Cardiac Arrest and Fractures, Citizens Outraged Saying 'This Is Inhumane'"

Suspicion of Abuse Including Cardiac Arrest and Fractures in 2-Month-Old Infant Girl
Abuse by Adoptive Parents Leads to Infant Death in 'Jeong-in Case' and Ongoing Abuse
Child Deaths from Abuse Surge 50% in Last 2 Years
"Severe Punishment for Abusive Parents Needed," Public Outrage

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] A 2-month-old baby girl was found in cardiac arrest at a motel in Incheon, raising suspicions of infant abuse. The police have arrested and are investigating the baby's biological father, a man in his 20s, who was with her. This incident occurred just six months after the so-called 'Jung-in case,' in which a 16-month-old infant died due to abuse by adoptive parents, prompting concerns that children abused by their parents are not being adequately protected.

◆Bruises and skull fractures found on 2-month-old baby girl... Biological father denies charges

According to the Women's and Juvenile Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency on the 13th, around midnight, a 2-month-old baby girl was found in a state of cardiac arrest at a motel in Bupyeong-dong, Bupyeong-gu.

The baby's father, a man in his 20s identified as Mr. A, called 119, reporting that "my daughter is not breathing," and the responding rescue team transported the baby to a nearby hospital. The baby is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit but is unconscious and in critical condition.

The police confirmed signs of suspected abuse, including bruises and skull fractures on the baby's body, and urgently arrested Mr. A on charges of child abuse. Mr. A reportedly denied the charges, stating to the police, "I accidentally bumped her against the wall while holding her, but I did not abuse her."

Mr. A's wife was arrested on fraud charges on the 6th and is currently in detention. It is reported that after his wife was incarcerated, Mr. A lived in the motel for a week with the 2-month-old baby girl and her older brother, who is one year older.

The police have transferred the baby's older brother to a protective facility and have begun an investigation. They are investigating the exact circumstances, considering the possibility that Mr. A may have abused the baby out of frustration while living in the motel.

◆Unrelenting child abuse cases such as the 'Jung-in case' and 'wooden stick assault death'

This is not the first case where an infant's life was endangered due to parental abuse. About six months ago, the 'Jung-in case' occurred, where a 16-month-old infant died due to continuous abuse by adoptive parents.

Anmo, the adoptive father who was indicted without detention on charges of child abuse against his 16-month-old adopted daughter Jeongin, is leaving the court after the second trial held on February 17 at the Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Jung-in passed away on October 13 last year at a hospital in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. The incident occurred 271 days after she was adopted by the adoptive parents. At the time of death, Jung-in had severe injuries, including an abdomen filled with blood and damage to some internal organs.

The adoptive parents claimed that Jung-in's condition was due to an accidental fall from a sofa, but police investigations revealed that they had habitually neglected, abandoned, and assaulted Jung-in since her adoption.

Meanwhile, in September 2019, a man in his 20s was arrested by the police for beating his 5-year-old stepson to death with a wooden stick over 100 times in a villa in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, sparking public outrage.

During the police investigation, the man reportedly stated that he assaulted his son because "he disrespected me and lied."

Cases of children dying due to habitual abuse have increased in recent years. According to the '2019 Child Abuse Major Statistics' released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in August last year, 42 children died from child abuse in 2019, a 50% increase compared to 28 children the previous year.

◆Growing concerns over whether child protection is being properly enforced

Given these circumstances, citizens have expressed worried reactions. There are concerns that children are not being adequately protected from abuse by their parents or adoptive parents.

On the morning of the 3rd of last month, when the third trial of the so-called 'Jung-in case' adoptive parents was held, a condolence wreath in memory of Jung-in was placed in front of the Seoul Yangcheon District Southern Branch Court. / Photo by Yonhap News

B, a worker in his 20s, said, "It's heartbreaking that another incident like this has happened when the Jung-in case is still fresh in memory," adding, "I worry that abused children are not being protected just because they are family."

Another office worker, C (33), said, "There is nothing more cruel than a parent harming their child. It's inhumane," and expressed frustration, saying, "Child abuse laws should be strengthened, and parents who abuse their own children must be severely punished."

As controversy over child abuse grows, voices have emerged in the political sphere calling for eradication of child abuse through related legislation.

On January 5, Roh Woong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed the 'National Life Respect No-Tolerance Three Acts,' which includes significantly increasing penalties for child abuse. The bill proposes raising the sentence for fatal child abuse from the current minimum of 5 years to 10 years.

Regarding this, Representative Roh emphasized at the party's supreme council meeting, "To prevent the tragic death of 16-month-old Jung-in, the penalty for child abuse should be doubled, and the identities of abusers should be disclosed," adding, "Through the National Life Respect No-Tolerance Three Acts, the public should recognize that child abuse, drunk driving, and industrial accident deaths are 'serious crimes that will never be forgiven.'"