20-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Causing Death of 82-Day-Old Baby by Smothering with Handkerchief

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] A man in his 20s who caused the death of his son, less than 100 days old, was sentenced to 7 years in prison.

The Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Western District Court (Chief Judge Lee Dae-yeon) announced on the 23rd that Kim Mo (22), who was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse resulting in death), was sentenced to 7 years in prison.

Kim was prosecuted for allegedly rolling a handkerchief and putting it into the mouth of his 82-day-old son, who was crying loudly on April 15 last year, and leaving him unattended, which led to the child's death. This occurred while his wife, A, was away from home. On the day of the incident, A returned home and found the child not breathing, called 119, but the child eventually died. A testified to the investigative authorities that a handkerchief was in the child's mouth when found.

Previously, Kim's side denied the charges, stating, "It seemed the child was choking, so I wiped the saliva inside the mouth with a handkerchief and finger, then placed the handkerchief beside him. I never blocked the child's mouth with the handkerchief or left him unattended."

However, the court rejected Kim's claims, stating, "A's testimony regarding the victim's condition at the time of discovery, the shape of the handkerchief in the mouth, and the defendant's reaction was specific and consistent to the extent that it cannot be considered fabricated, and there is no reason to believe she intentionally testified unfavorably against the defendant."

Furthermore, the court pointed out, "Before A returned home on the day of the incident, the only person who was with the child was Kim. It is very difficult to believe that the victim, who was less than 100 days old, put the handkerchief into his own mouth."

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