Arrest Warrant Requested for Aunt Accused of Beating 5-Year-Old Nephew to Death

Acknowledges Corporal Punishment of Mr. A, Claims Good Health Condition Until Falling in Bathroom

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] A woman in her 40s has been arrested by the police on suspicion of causing the death of her five-year-old niece, whom she was raising, by assaulting and neglecting her.

The Jeonnam Police Agency announced on the 16th that they had applied for an arrest warrant for A (41) on charges of child abuse resulting in death on the 15th.

A is suspected of hitting her niece B (5), whom she was raising, on the head and buttocks for disciplinary reasons on the night of the 13th, and neglecting her, leading to her death.

It was confirmed that A assaulted B on the night of the 13th, and although B vomited during the day on the 14th, no special measures were taken.

B was found collapsed in the bathroom of the house by another family member around 6:10 p.m. on the 14th and was taken to the hospital but died; bruises were found on various parts of her body.

B had been living with her aunt A at A’s house for several months.

The police believe B died from cardiac arrest caused by a cerebral hemorrhage.

During the police investigation, A admitted to corporal punishment but denied any connection to the death, stating that B’s health had not significantly deteriorated until she fell in the bathroom.

She also testified that since July of last year, she had been raising two daughters of her older brother, including B, and had used corporal punishment such as slapping their palms for disciplinary purposes but did not abuse them.

Family members of A and daycare center officials also testified that they had not noticed any signs of abuse on the children and that their nutrition and developmental status were normal.

B’s siblings have been under the protection of A’s older brother since the incident.

The police plan to conduct an autopsy to determine whether B’s death was caused by external force or was an accident.