A mother in her 30s has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the death of her 8-month-old son due to abuse.
The Ansan branch of the Suwon District Court announced on October 15 that it sentenced A, who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse murder), to 12 years in prison. The court also ordered her to complete 80 hours of child abuse treatment programs and prohibited her from working in child-related institutions for 10 years.
The court acquitted A of the primary charge of child abuse murder but found her guilty of child abuse resulting in death.
The court stated, "It is acknowledged that the defendant struck the victim child’s head multiple times with a remote control, ultimately leading to the child's death. However, it is difficult to view the delay in seeking higher medical care after taking the child to a pediatrician as an intentional act to cause murder, leading to the judgment of not guilty for child abuse murder and guilty for child abuse resulting in death."
In explaining the sentence, the court noted, "The guardian, who has the responsibility to safely protect and nurture the child, has committed a highly blameworthy act by taking a life, warranting severe punishment. Even if not legally classified as murder, the act of striking a young child's skull to a significant extent can be seen as close to murder with implied intent."
A reportedly struck her son, B, on the head multiple times with a TV remote control on April 10 at their home in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, after he continued to cry. B died four days later.
It was revealed that A neglected the child after the assault, failing to provide timely and appropriate medical treatment.
On the day of the incident, despite being advised to take B to a larger hospital after visiting a local pediatrician, she returned home instead. Later, when advised to admit B to a general hospital in Bucheon, she refused. B was only taken to the emergency room three days later, after his condition worsened, and he died the following day.
Earlier, during the prosecution's closing arguments in July, they sought a life sentence, stating, "The defendant denies the intent of the crime, but it was fully foreseeable that striking the head of an 8-month-old infant could lead to death."
During her final statement, A expressed remorse, saying, "I will become a warm mother to my first child with a heart of apology for my deceased second child," and pleaded for leniency.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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