'20s Father Who Neglected 3-Month-Old Daughter Leading to Death Receives Reduced Sentence of 4 Years in Second Trial'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] A man in his 20s who was sentenced to prison in the first trial for leaving his 3-month-old daughter at home, resulting in her death, received a reduced sentence in the appellate trial.

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judge Seong Su-je) overturned the first trial’s sentence of 5 years imprisonment for A (29), who was charged with violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse resulting in death), and sentenced him to 4 years imprisonment.

The court also ordered a 5-year ban on employment in child-related institutions. The order to complete 80 hours of a child abuse treatment program was maintained as in the first trial.

The court criticized, "A neglected his duty of care through acts of abandonment or neglect, leading to the death of his child and the loss of a precious life, and the consequences are irreversible. It appears that A had been neglecting his child protection duties in unsanitary conditions even before."

However, the court explained the reason for the reduced sentence, stating, "A did not physically or emotionally abuse the child, and considering that his spouse experienced another tragedy by passing away after the incident, and that he had no prior criminal record except for a fine."

A was prosecuted on charges of leaving his daughter alone at their home in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, last April after receiving a call from his wife B suggesting they have dinner outside, which resulted in the daughter’s death.

After finishing the meal, A returned home alone but went to sleep immediately without checking on his daughter’s condition. The next morning, he found that his daughter was not breathing and called 119, but she had already passed away.

The couple were tried together, with A receiving a 5-year prison sentence and B receiving 4 years in the first trial. B passed away during the appellate trial, and in April, the prosecution was dismissed.

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