Stepmother Sentenced to Probation for Feeding Salted Rice to 8-Year-Old Stepdaughter

Violation of Child Welfare Act... 1 Year Imprisonment, 2 Years Probation
Abuse Evidence Emerges During Divorce Proceedings of Biological Father

A stepmother who habitually abused her elementary school-aged stepdaughter by forcing her to eat salty rice and drink tap water after vomiting was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On the 6th, Judge Jo Hyun-seon of the Criminal Division 6 at Cheongju District Court sentenced A (34), who was tried on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act (child abuse), to one year in prison with a two-year suspension.

Cheongju District Court building.
Photo by Yonhap News

A is accused of forcibly feeding her stepdaughter B (8 years old at the time) rice mixed with salt for dinner between January and February 2021. After B vomited the salty rice and said she wanted to drink water, A forced her to drink tap water, committing emotional abuse.

Additionally, when B, who was sleeping on the floor, tried to get on the bed, A said, "If you come up one more time, I will hit you harder," kicked B’s stomach with her foot, and physically abused her by hitting her palms multiple times with a clothes hanger if B did not properly follow cleaning instructions given by A.

In winter, after making B take a cold shower, when B said it was cold, A grabbed her hair and pushed her into a bathtub filled with water.

A’s crimes were discovered about a year after the incident when B’s biological father was going through a divorce process and B said, "My stepmother hated me."

During the trial, A’s defense attorney denied the charges, arguing that "the dates of the crimes listed in the indictment are vague and the facts are not specified," and claimed "there was no abuse, and even if there was, the defendant’s actions do not violate social norms." However, the court did not accept A’s claims, noting the victim’s young age and the difficulty in specifying exact times due to memory limitations.

Judge Jo stated, "The victim child gave detailed testimony about the place and method of the crimes, mentioning 'first grade,' 'winter,' and 'it was very cold,'" adding, "The details are so specific that it seems unlikely without direct experience. Some of the content is difficult for a lower-grade elementary school student to fabricate."

He continued, "Considering that the victim child did not commit any particular wrongdoing yet was beaten as if to vent anger, this does not fall under socially acceptable disciplinary actions," and explained the sentencing by saying, "Nevertheless, the defendant is avoiding responsibility."