Prosecutors have sought a heavy sentence against a mother in her 20s who caused the death of her 19-month-old daughter through neglect. Public outrage has grown after it emerged that she had neglected childcare despite receiving more than 3 million won in monthly support payments.
Neglected Child Starved to Death
According to the legal community Monday, prosecutors sought a 30-year prison term and five years of probation after release at the final hearing for A, 29, held before Criminal Division 14 of the Incheon District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Son Seung-beom. A final hearing is the stage where prosecutors and defense counsel present their closing arguments, leaving only the verdict, which will be handed down separately.
A has been indicted on charges of causing the death of her second daughter, B, aged 19 months, by failing to properly feed her at their home in Namdong-gu, Incheon, on March 4, and of physically abusing her first daughter on two occasions.
An autopsy confirmed that B died from malnutrition and dehydration. Her weight at the time of death was 4.7 kilograms, less than half the average weight of girls of the same age (10.40 kilograms).
In the prosecution's investigation, A was found to have regretted giving birth to her second daughter and to have found childcare bothersome. From January, she neglected the child, failing to properly provide even milk or baby food, and at one point went as long as 67 hours without feeding her. This means the child, at an age when she was just learning to walk, went nearly three days without food.
Support Money on Musicals, Child Left Neglected
A, a basic livelihood recipient and single-parent household, had received more than 3 million won in monthly public support, including livelihood benefits and child allowances. She was also found to have received food ingredients each month from a "food bank" for vulnerable groups.
However, some of this money was reportedly spent on musical membership passes and donations, while childcare was neglected.
Prosecutors said, "The defendant neglected the victim child over a long period without properly raising her, and the child suffered mental and physical pain for two months before dying." They added, "Despite being fully aware of the child's condition, the defendant carried on her personal life and enjoyed her time as if the child did not exist."
They explained the reasoning for the sentence, saying, "Because she committed neglect stemming from violence and irresponsible behavior over a long period, the risk of repeat child abuse crimes appears very high," and "Her overall attitude, including evading responsibility during the investigation, does not appear likely to easily improve, so probation is necessary."
