30s Couple Leaves Adopted Child with 'Brain Hemorrhage Symptoms' Alone While Going on Family Trip

Couple Sentenced to Prison for Child Abuse Resulting in Death Charges

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] A couple in their 30s who neglected an adopted child showing symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage, resulting in the child's death, has been sentenced to prison.

The Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Jeong Ji-seon) on the 3rd sentenced Kim (34) and Cho (38, female), who were indicted on charges including child abuse resulting in death, to 3 years and 5 years in prison, respectively.

They were also ordered to complete 40 to 80 hours of child abuse treatment programs and were restricted from employment in child-related institutions for 3 to 5 years.

The couple was charged with neglecting an adopted child (then 3 years old) who showed symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage by not taking the child to the hospital, leading to the child's death.

In April 2019, the couple gave zolpidem to the child, who was unable to eat properly and had a high fever of 39 to 40 degrees Celsius along with seizures, and even went on a family trip.

They left the child, whose consciousness was impaired, in a hotel room at the travel destination without providing proper treatment, and only discovered the child was in a state of apnea late that night, subsequently calling 119 (emergency services).

Ultimately, the child died in the emergency room from head injuries including subdural hemorrhage, brain contusion, and cerebral edema.

They also struck another adopted child (then 3 years old) on the face with their hand for not looking at the camera while filming a video.

The couple claimed, "We did not give zolpidem, and the adopted child who died was able to eat when leaving for the family trip and was conscious upon arrival at the hotel. We did not recognize that the child was in a critical condition that could lead to death."

The court explained, "Considering that no traces of partially spat-out zolpidem were found at home and that high concentrations of zolpidem were not detected in the blood, it is judged that the adopted child was administered the drug rather than having taken it voluntarily."

Furthermore, "(The defendants) knew about the cerebral hemorrhage and were already aware that emergency treatment was necessary, as reflected in their internet search history," the court said.

The court stated, "Despite knowing the critical condition due to cerebral hemorrhage, they neglected and abandoned the victim by not taking them to the hospital for more than 28 hours and arbitrarily administering zolpidem. The culpability is not light," and "the sentence was determined considering all sentencing factors."