Police Confirm Abuse Occurred After October
Two Additional Incidents Aside from Incident Day
Stepmother Cites Financial Hardship and Parenting Stress
Biological Father Charged with Neglect and Abuse
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A woman in her 30s, who was arrested and sent to prosecution on charges of beating her 3-year-old stepson to death, has been found to have habitually abused the deceased child. It was also investigated that childcare stress and financial difficulties were motives for the crime.
A police official said on the 29th, "According to digital forensic results, photos show no signs of abuse before October, but abuse appears to have occurred after that," adding, "We believe the child was habitually abused, and although only two specific cases besides the day of the incident have been identified, we think there were others before that."
The official also explained, "We confirmed testimonies from related parties and forensic results, which showed that the stepmother was struggling with financial difficulties and childcare stress," and "It was found that she punished the child because he did not eat well and did not sleep at night." The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency applied charges of child abuse homicide and habitual child abuse against the stepmother, Ms. Lee (33), who beat her 3-year-old stepson to death at their home in Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu, on the same day, and sent her to prosecution under custody.
It was determined that Ms. Lee beat her stepson to death on the 20th because he did not obey her. The police urgently arrested and detained her on charges of child abuse resulting in death at around 8:33 p.m. on the same day after the child died. Subsequently, through a search of the residence and an autopsy, the police concluded that Ms. Lee had a form of implied intent to kill and habitually abused the child, changing the charges to child abuse homicide. The child abuse homicide charge was newly established under the amended Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, known as the "Jeong-in Law," which came into effect in March this year. The statutory penalties for this charge include the death penalty, life imprisonment, or imprisonment for seven years or more.
A police official said, "Because there is intent, the charge was changed from child abuse resulting in death to child abuse homicide," and added, "We received an oral opinion from the National Forensic Service estimating that the rupture of the colon and rectum caused by strong blows occurred on the day of the incident." The police received an opinion that the wounds on the deceased child's body could not have been caused by falling and required blows, and based on KakaoTalk conversations exchanged between Ms. Lee and acquaintances, they judged that there might have been implied intent.
However, Ms. Lee reportedly stated that she does not remember the corporal punishment such as blows to the abdomen. A police official said, "She admits to some extent the corporal punishment she usually administered, but does not remember specific acts on the day of the incident," and added, "A profiler was involved but no meaningful findings were confirmed. It was also confirmed that she hit the child's calves with a back scratcher or kicked his back."
Ms. Lee also testified that she had been drinking alcohol on the day the abuse occurred and is currently pregnant.
The police sent the biological father, Mr. A, to the prosecution without detention on charges of neglect and child abuse for having been aware to some extent of the abuse but leaving it unattended, and for abusing the deceased son before Ms. Lee's abuse began.
A police official said, "(Mr. A) also delivered the message to the biological father that corporal punishment was administered with a back scratcher under the pretext of discipline," and added, "He was sufficiently aware and recognized that corporal punishment could continue, but as a guardian, he did not take appropriate measures and appeared indifferent." The official further stated, "He admitted to some extent the neglect but is denying the abuse."
Additionally, the police said that although the child had records of treatment such as wearing a cast on the thigh due to external injuries and having head wounds stitched, no reports of suspected abuse were made by the daycare center or others. They explained, "The daycare center also checks the entire body when the child is admitted and during drop-off and pick-up, and there were statements that nothing unusual was found." Daycare center directors and childcare staff are required to report suspected child abuse to investigative agencies, and failure to do so may result in a fine of up to 10 million won.
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