Said Baby Wouldn't Sleep, Pressed 4-Month-Old's Head 'Kkuk'... Babysitter Given Suspended Sentence

A babysitter who abused a 4-month-old baby was sentenced to probation by the court.

According to the legal community on the 9th, Judge Kim Jeong-gi of the Criminal Division 7 at Seoul Southern District Court sentenced Mr. A, who was indicted for violating the Child Welfare Act (child abuse), to 6 months in prison with 1 year of probation. He was also ordered to attend 40 hours of child abuse recidivism prevention lectures and was banned from employment at child-related institutions for 2 years.

Mr. A is accused of pulling the arms and legs of 4-month-old Mr. B, whom he was taking care of as a babysitter last October, while changing his diaper, and causing his head to hit the floor. Mr. A is also accused of forcing Mr. B to lie face down on the floor as if throwing him when he would not fall asleep, and pressing his head down hard several times.

In court, Mr. A claimed, "I did it to exercise him," and "The child's parents seem overly sensitive," but these claims were not accepted.

The court criticized, "Although the defendant admits to the charges, there is no genuine attitude of remorse." It added, "The crime is serious as it involved physical abuse of a victim who is only 4 months old, and the victim's parents have petitioned for severe punishment," explaining the sentencing decision.