First Trial of 30s Couple Who Neglected 2-Year-Old Child Died from Repeated Assault and Abuse

Neglected Without Taking the Child to the Hospital

At the end of last year, it was investigated that a couple in their 30s habitually abused their 2-year-old child who died in Daejeon and fed the child food that should not have been given.

On the 6th, Yonhap News reported the prosecution's indictment, stating, "The 11th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court (Chief Judge Choi Seok-jin) held the first trial for the case involving A (in their 30s) and their spouse on charges of child abuse resulting in death, habitual child abuse, and habitual child abandonment and neglect."

Signboard of Daejeon Court. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the report, the prosecution believes that the couple became disillusioned with raising the child, who was born prematurely and in poor health, due to increasing burdens such as medical expenses, which led to abuse. From around October last year, they frequently assaulted and pushed the child, causing bruises all over the child's body and repeated fractures. In particular, on December 15 of last year, they fed the child fatal food and neglected the child. The child ultimately died the following day. They reported to 119 at 1:06 a.m. on December 16, saying, "The baby is not breathing."

The prosecution pointed out that the two were aware of each other's abusive actions but did not take any measures. They added, "Even after the child died, they did not report immediately and neglected the child out of fear that their abusive acts would be exposed, only reporting when they judged that resolving the situation on their own was impossible."

The defense stated, "The defendants fundamentally show remorse and have no intention to deny the charges," but added, "However, there was no intent to kill, and it is necessary to clarify the causal relationship between the abuse and the death."

The court said, "While acknowledging the facts, there are some denials of certain acts; please carefully consider and present your opinions later," and added, "It may appear as an unreasonable excuse to evade responsibility."

The lawyer representing the deceased child requested the court, saying, "The victim was 2 years old at the time and was unable to protect themselves or seek help," and "There are no relatives to express opinions as the victim has already passed away. As the lawyer, I plead for severe punishment."