20-Year-Old Man Arrested in 3 Days on Charges of Abusing and Killing 20-Month-Old Daughter (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] A man in his 20s accused of abusing and causing the death of his 20-month-old daughter was caught three days after fleeing from police pursuit.

On the 12th, the Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Unit of the Daejeon Police Agency arrested A (29) around 2:40 p.m. at a motel in Jung-gu after obtaining an arrest warrant on charges of child abuse and murder. A is suspected of beating and abusing the child to death at his home in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, in mid-last month and participating in disposing of the body in an icebox. A’s wife, B (26), who left the deceased daughter's body in an icebox at their residence, is currently detained on charges of corpse abandonment.

On the 9th, police received a report from the child’s maternal grandmother, who is also B’s mother, expressing suspicion of child abuse, and discovered the victim’s body in the bathroom of the house. Upon learning of the 112 emergency call, A immediately fled to avoid the police. B’s mother testified to the police that she could not contact her daughter and son-in-law, and while searching, found the house and noticed her granddaughter was missing.

The police believe the deceased child died due to severe physical abuse inflicted by A and others. The body reportedly showed signs of abuse, including fractures and subcutaneous hemorrhages. B, the biological mother, is also reported to have stated that “on the day of death, A covered the child with a blanket and beat her indiscriminately.”

A police official said, “The autopsy results will soon be received from the National Forensic Service,” adding, “Regarding rumors that the victim child was sexually assaulted, this has not been confirmed. We plan to verify this based on the autopsy results from the National Forensic Service and the suspect’s statements.”