Nurse Who Posted "I Feel Like Dropping the Baby" About Infants Referred to Prosecution

Repeated Abuse of Infants Admitted to Intensive Care Unit

Three individuals, including a nurse, have been referred to the prosecution after writing posts expressing intent to harm infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, taking photos, and uploading them online.

According to a Yonhap News report on July 29, the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency's Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Unit has referred three individuals, including a nurse in her 20s identified as A from Daegu Catholic University Hospital, to the prosecution without detention on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act (physical abuse) and the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes.

A nurse A posted a get-sick post on her social networking service (SNS). Screenshot from an online community

From October of last year to March of this year, A and the others are accused of writing posts such as "I feel like dropping the baby (I want to drop the baby)," "My anger management issues are flaring up," and "This baby really has a nasty temper" about several infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Daegu Catholic University Hospital, and uploading them to social networking services (SNS).

Additionally, A and the others are accused of exposing the infants to infection risks by touching their bodies without wearing sterile gloves. During the investigation, the police determined that two other nurses, colleagues of A, also participated in the crime by assisting or abetting A in taking photos and videos of the abuse, and they were also booked as suspects.

Previously, in April, the parents of an infant who confirmed the abusive posts filed a complaint. Following this, the police began a full-scale investigation, including seizing and searching A's mobile phone. In early April, a related tip-off post was also uploaded to the workplace community 'Blind.' After the incident became public and faced a flood of criticism from netizens, Daegu Catholic University Hospital issued an official apology video and posted it on the hospital's official YouTube channel.

After the controversy erupted, Daegu Catholic University Hospital dismissed A, and it has been confirmed that the other two individuals were placed on compulsory leave.