Police Arrest Biological Mother and Cohabiting Partner for Abusing 5-Year-Old Boy... Signs of Brain Hemorrhage and Abuse Found

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] A biological mother and her cohabiting partner were arrested by the police for abusing a 5-year-old boy, causing him to suffer a brain hemorrhage.

The Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 11th that they have detained A (28) and his girlfriend B (28) on charges of child abuse causing serious injury under the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, and are currently investigating them.

A is suspected of abusing B’s son C (5) at a villa in Namdong-gu, Incheon, around 1 p.m. the previous day, causing severe injuries to his head and other areas. B is also accused of physically abusing her son C on a regular basis.

At 1:34 p.m. the previous day, A called 119 (emergency services) reporting that "the child is not breathing." At that time, B had gone out to handle banking matters. C showed symptoms of brain hemorrhage and was transported by the 119 paramedics to a nearby hospital for surgery. However, he has not yet fully regained consciousness and continues to receive treatment in the intensive care unit. Medical staff at the hospital detected bruises on both of C’s cheeks and forehead, indicating signs of abuse, and reported this to the police.

After being urgently detained by the police, A stated, "I was playing by giving him a piggyback ride and accidentally dropped him, causing the injury." He also claimed that the bruises were from playing at the playground.

However, during additional questioning on the same day, A changed his statement and admitted to assaulting C when he lost consciousness. B also reportedly admitted to abusing her son, saying, "I have hit my son before."

Previously, in September last year, B was reported to 112 (police emergency number) by a neighbor after scolding C with a back scratcher. At that time, the police arrived at the scene but found no significant external injuries on C’s body and concluded that B had not hit her son with the back scratcher, so she was not criminally charged. Instead, a child protection agency, judging it as emotional abuse, provided case management for B and C.

B gave birth to C with her ex-husband and has been cohabiting with A, whom she has been dating for two years, without registering their marriage. B and her son were classified as a "two-person basic livelihood security household" and received monthly support of 900,000 to 1,000,000 KRW for living and housing expenses from the local district office.

The police plan to apply for arrest warrants for A and B as early as this afternoon or by the 12th at the latest, after further investigating the exact circumstances and motives of the crime.