Caregiver Sentenced to 17 Years for Tying and Beating Intellectually Disabled Person with Leash to Death... Mother Also Accomplice

Beating with a laundry bat... Abuse disguised as 'discipline'

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Both a caregiver for the disabled and the biological mother received heavy sentences after repeatedly abusing a young man with intellectual disabilities by tying him with a dog leash and locking him in the bathroom, ultimately causing his death.

On the 18th, the 11th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Yongchan) sentenced caregiver A (51), who was charged with injury resulting in death and other offenses, to 17 years in prison, and the victim’s biological mother B (46) to 10 years in prison.

The court stated, "The defendant, as a caregiver, had a duty to protect the victim but played a leading role in this crime," adding, "They committed inhumane crimes such as locking the victim in the bathroom, tying them up, and beating them with a laundry bat."

Regarding the biological mother B, the court added, "The mental suffering and sense of betrayal the victim experienced from the defendant must have been immense," and noted that "the passive compliance with A’s instructions was considered in sentencing."

B’s son C (20) was found in cardiac arrest at their home in Jung-gu, Daejeon, on the evening of December 17 last year and was transported to the hospital but passed away.

C, who had a level 3 intellectual disability, had bruises on his face and wounds on his arms and legs.

According to the prosecution, C was tied with a dog leash or bath towel with his hands behind his back and locked in the bathroom, unable to eat.

Moreover, beatings with a laundry bat were repeated since the first half of last year, mostly under the pretext of discipline.

It was confirmed that from six days before his death, C was unable to attend the disability welfare facility he frequently visited. The prosecution believes that abuse and violence were concentrated during this period.

The prosecution concluded that the two committed the crime jointly, considering that biological mother B, who showed intellectual disability traits, was excessively dependent on A, and that A was significantly involved in the victim’s daily life.

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