Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Stepfather... "Lost the Last Chance to Save"
The first trial sentencing hearing for Jeong-in's adoptive parents, who were indicted on charges including abuse that led to the death of 16-month-old Jeong-in, will be held on the afternoon of the 14th at the Seoul Southern District Court. On the morning of the same day, people searching for Jeong-in held a protest rally in front of the Seoul Southern Detention Center. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The adoptive mother accused of abusing and causing the death of 16-month-old adoptee Jeong-in received a life sentence in the first trial. The court also sentenced the adoptive father, who was prosecuted together, to five years in prison.
The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) held a sentencing hearing at 1:50 p.m. on the same day for the adoptive mother Jang and the adoptive father Ahn, who were charged with murder and violation of the Child Welfare Act, respectively, and delivered the verdict. Immediately after the ruling, the court issued an arrest warrant for Ahn, who was then taken into custody in the courtroom.
Additionally, the court ordered both adoptive parents to complete 200 hours of child abuse treatment programs and imposed a 10-year ban on employment at child-related institutions.
The court stated, "The defendants began to abandon or neglect the victim by prioritizing only their own feelings and circumstances, and committed emotional and physical abuse against the victim," adding, "Eventually, they caused the victim’s death through heinous acts such as forcefully kicking the victim’s abdomen with their foot, an act that is unimaginable."
It continued, "After being adopted, the victim endured unimaginable fear due to cruel mental and physical abuse amid the defendants’ neglect and coldness, and the victim’s last breath was extinguished by the defendants," emphasizing, "The defendants’ criminal acts are inhumane crimes that brutally trampled on the dignity and value of human beings guaranteed by the Constitution, and it is necessary to indefinitely isolate the defendants from general society."
The first trial sentencing hearing for Jeong-in's adoptive parents, who were indicted on charges including abuse that led to the death of 16-month-old Jeong-in, will be held on the afternoon of the 14th at the Seoul Southern District Court. On the morning of the same day, people searching for Jeong-in held a protest rally in front of the Seoul Southern Detention Center. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
The court also explained regarding adoptive father Ahn, "If he had stopped the adoptive mother’s abuse or taken appropriate measures such as treatment for the victim, the victim’s death might have been prevented," adding, "Because he lost the victim’s last chance to survive, severe punishment is inevitable."
Meanwhile, Jang was arrested and prosecuted on charges of habitual assault and abuse of her adopted daughter Jeong-in from June to October last year, and for delivering a strong blow to the abdomen on October 13, causing her death (murder, etc.).
Based on the opinions of the autopsy doctor and forensic experts, the prosecution judged that Jang had intent or conditional intent to kill and designated the murder charge as the principal charge.
Jang’s defense attorney admitted to habitual assault of Jeong-in but denied the murder charge, claiming there was no strong blow that could have caused death.
Her husband Ahn was also prosecuted for abusing Jeong-in and aiding his wife’s assault. Ahn’s side admitted to some abuse charges but claimed ignorance of his wife’s assault.
In the sentencing hearing, the prosecution requested the death penalty for Jang, stating, "It is judged that there was conditional intent to kill."
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