"Why Don't You Listen?" Kindergarten Student Abuse, Childcare Teacher Sentenced to Prison with Probation

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A 30-year-old childcare teacher who abused a kindergarten student for not listening was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the appellate court.

According to the local legal community on the 23rd, the 5th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Kyung-hee) recently sentenced A (34), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension, the same as the original sentence.

The court also ordered A to perform 80 hours of community service, attend 40 hours of child abuse prevention lectures, and imposed a 3-year employment restriction at child-related institutions.

A is accused of physically and mentally abusing five 3- to 4-year-old kindergarten students a total of 13 times (from June 4 to June 16, 2020) at a kindergarten in Daejeon where she worked, including punching a 4-year-old girl on the forehead for not listening and slapping a 3-year-old boy on the cheek for not tidying up toys.

The appellate court stated, "The defendant's crime is serious as she inflicted physical and emotional abuse on young children," but added, "Considering the overall circumstances including the defendant's heavy workload, it is difficult to see the sentencing as unfair."

Previously, the first trial court said, "The defendant, as a kindergarten teacher, had the responsibility to protect and educate children but instead abused them," and "Although the victim's parents requested severe punishment, the sentence is determined considering it is the defendant's first offense," sentencing her to a suspended prison term.

However, the prosecution appealed, arguing that the sentence was too light, leading to the appellate trial.