[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The biological father of a 3-year-old stepson who was beaten to death is under police investigation for child abuse neglect, following the stepmother.
According to the police on the 23rd, the biological father, Mr. A, of the 3-year-old child who died after being beaten by his stepmother, Ms. Lee (33), in Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, was booked on charges of child abuse neglect.
Earlier, on the 20th at around 2:30 p.m., Mr. A had reported to 119 that "the child is not breathing."
After the child's death, the police immediately arrested Ms. Lee and have been investigating whether Mr. A has any involvement in abuse-related charges. It is known that the police are also investigating whether Mr. A directly participated in the abuse, in addition to neglecting it.
It is reported that about five months before the incident, the deceased child had suffered a scalp laceration that required suturing surgery. Ms. Lee reportedly told medical staff that "the child was injured by falling." Additionally, in September, she reportedly withdrew the deceased child from daycare, stating that "the child injured his leg and was diagnosed with a six-week recovery period." It was confirmed that the child actually attended daycare for only one day.
The National Forensic Service verbally informed the police the day before that the direct cause of death was presumed to be a rupture of the rectum (large intestine). In addition, multiple signs suspected of continuous and repeated abuse were found, including traces of brain hemorrhage, bruises, and pooled blood.
The police are investigating the motive behind Ms. Lee's crime, whether she was intoxicated at the time of the incident, and the duration of the abuse inflicted on the deceased child.
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