Childcare teacher sentenced for habitual abuse of 9 children aged 1-2... Employment banned for 10 years

Daycare Center / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] A childcare worker in her 40s who committed violence and emotional abuse against nine children aged 1 to 2 years old was sentenced to prison.

The Cheongju District Court Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Oh Tae-hwan) announced on the 8th that A (40), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison and was immediately taken into custody. The court also ordered A to complete a 40-hour child abuse treatment program and imposed a 10-year employment ban at child-related institutions.

The court stated, "The defendant’s actions betrayed the responsibilities of a childcare worker and constituted abusive acts that harmed the health, development, and growth of infants aged 1 to 2 who are not yet able to communicate properly," adding, "The nature of the crime is very serious."

It further noted, "Considering that there were multiple victims and the offenses were repeated many times, it is clear that the affected children suffered negative impacts, and their parents also endured significant psychological distress."

A is accused of punching the back of B (2), a child, at a daycare set up in a home in Cheongju around 1 p.m. on January 11, 2018.

Additionally, A is charged with emotional abuse, including slapping or hitting the cheeks or face of crying children with the palm or a bag, and yelling at the children during discipline.

The court recognized that A’s assaults occurred 101 times over approximately three months.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.