The Couple in the '8-Year-Old Byeol Abuse and Murder' Case Said, "Let Us Go Out and Raise Our Children" [Seocho-dong Legal Story]

Audience Citizens "No, No"
Expert "Child Abuse Is Habitual... Must Be Separated from Other Children"
Prosecution Seeks 30-Year Prison Sentence in Second Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] "The original sentence (30 years imprisonment) is too heavy. The defendant has a son and a recently born daughter. Please show leniency by reducing the sentence so that they can be released someday and raise their children." (Defense attorney)

On the 10th, in a courtroom on the 3rd floor of the Seoul High Court, the defense attorney for A (28, female), the biological mother accused of starving and abusing her 8-year-old daughter Byeori to death (charged with murder and violation of the Child Welfare Act, etc.), made this final argument at the second trial's closing session. A's husband and Byeori's adoptive father, B (27, male), is also on trial for the same charges. The children they intend to raise after release are Byeori's biological older brother C, who is one year older, and their youngest daughter born in prison last April. Citizens sitting in the gallery voiced "No, no" in response to the defense's claim.

Since Byeori died from abuse, the prevailing opinion is that the couple should be separated from their other children as well. Gong Hyejeong, president of the Korea Child Protection Association, said, "(There is) no guarantee that the couple will raise the other children well," adding, "Especially C likely has significant trauma from witnessing his younger sibling being abused and testifying."

Immediately after the crime, A instructed to say she only punished about five times, but C gave different statements from A and others during the investigation. C's testimony played a decisive role in the first trial's judgment. Additionally, the prosecution reported that on March 2, before Byeori died, A gave her a cold shower despite bleeding wounds, and B played smartphone games in the living room even after seeing Byeori collapsed in the bathroom. The couple, however, claim "the son's related testimony is false."

The couple currently do not have parental rights over C. A prosecution official stated, "C's biological father was designated sole guardian during the divorce process with his ex-wife A," and "Since the biological father is also effectively neglecting C, a request for deprivation of parental rights has been filed." This is to allow a new guardian to be appointed to care for C in a stable environment. At the time of the incident, C was living with A, adoptive father B, and Byeori.

However, the prosecution has not yet decided whether to request the deprivation of parental rights for the youngest child. A is currently attending court holding the youngest daughter she had with B. President Gong emphasized, "Child abuse is habitual. For the sake of the newly born child, the couple must be severely punished and separated from the child through deprivation of parental rights due to the parenting environment."

The couple is accused of continuously abusing Byeori for over three years since 2018 by beating and starving her, leading to her death last March. Byeori suffered abuse for reasons such as secretly taking jokbal (pig's trotters) from the refrigerator to eat under the blanket and discarding the bones. B forced Byeori to eat feces after she had a bowel accident, and A was investigated for neglect despite knowing this. The autopsy revealed Byeori was severely underweight at 110 cm and 13 kg. There was no food in her stomach or intestines.

The prosecutor requested 30 years imprisonment in the second trial as in the first trial, and the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 6-2 (Presiding Judge Jeong Chongryeong) plans to deliver the verdict on the 8th of next month.

Stepfather B (left) and biological mother A, who were indicted on charges of repeatedly abusing their 8-year-old daughter, causing her death [Image source=Yonhap News]