[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A 5th-grade elementary school boy was found dead with bruises all over his body, and the police have detained his parents for investigation.
The Women and Juvenile Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 8th that they have urgently arrested and are investigating the biological father A (39) and stepmother B (42) on charges of child abuse resulting in death under the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes.
The couple A is suspected of abusing their 5th-grade son C (11) at their home in Namdong-gu, Incheon, causing his death.
At 1:44 PM on the same day, A himself called 119, reporting that "the child is not breathing." C was transported to a nearby hospital in cardiac arrest but passed away.
Multiple bruises suspected to be from child abuse were found on the deceased C's body. A and others denied the abuse charges during police questioning, claiming "the injuries were self-inflicted."
Investigations revealed that C had been an 'unexcused absentee' student who had not attended school since November 24 of last year. Unexcused absences refer to absences not recognized as attendance due to neglect, running away, or other unjustifiable reasons.
The school contacted C's parents to inform them about the academic discontinuation reflection system, but they refused, stating they were "homeschooling the child to prepare for studying abroad in the Philippines."
The police plan to decide whether to request an arrest warrant after thoroughly investigating the exact circumstances of the case involving A and his wife. Additionally, C's two younger siblings have been separated from their parents and placed in a child protection facility.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
