Prosecutors Demand Life Sentence for Stepmother Who Hid 9-Year-Old Child in Bag Leading to Death

Prosecutors: "Severe Punishment for the Victim's Sake"
Defense: "Child Abuse Acknowledged... No Intent to Kill"

On June 10th, Mr. A was transferred from the Cheonan Dongnam Police Station in Chungnam to the Cheonan Branch of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] A(41, female), who was indicted on charges of murder and others for locking a 9-year-old child in a travel bag causing the child's death, has been sentenced to life imprisonment. It was confirmed that A not only confined the child in the bag but also jumped on top of the bag and even blew a hairdryer into it.

On the 31st, at the sentencing hearing held at the Cheonan Branch of Daejeon District Court Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Chae Daewon), the prosecution requested life imprisonment and an order to attach a location tracking device for 20 years for stepmother A.

The prosecution stated the reason for the request, saying, "(The defendant) caused the loss of a precious life through a cruel method of crime that is hard to even imagine," and "Strict punishment corresponding to the crime is required to console the victim who could not resist even in the dying situation."

In response, A’s lawyer said, "The defendant admits her crime and intends to accept the appropriate punishment. She will live while apologizing to the family," and "She acknowledges causing the child's death but denies intent to murder, as she actively performed CPR and reported to 119. We ask for leniency within the limits allowed by law."

On the day, A said, "I have nothing to say even if I had ten mouths. I am sorry. I apologize to everyone."

A was arrested and indicted on charges of confining B (9), the son of her cohabiting partner, in a travel bag measuring 50 cm wide, 71.5 cm long, and 29 cm deep for about three hours, then in a smaller bag measuring 44 cm wide, 60 cm long, and 24 cm deep for nearly four hours, ultimately causing 'hypoxic brain injury' leading to death around noon on June 1.

In particular, during the confinement, instead of releasing B who repeatedly complained of "not being able to breathe," it was investigated that A jumped on the bag and even blew a hairdryer wind into it.

Initially, the police applied charges of child abuse resulting in death against A and transferred the case, but the prosecution judged there was intent in the crime and applied the charge of 'murder,' leading to A’s arrest and indictment.

At the first trial held on the 15th of last month, the prosecution stated, "The defendant frequently abused beyond disciplinary measures, and the physically small victim endured excessive corporal punishment and abuse defenselessly," and "Although the defendant claims there was no intent to kill, the method of the crime was cruel and there was no remorse."

The prosecution continued, "The victim, due to changes in custody caused by parental divorce, was not fully protected and falsely admitted faults to the biological father and the defendant," and "Nevertheless, the defendant distrusted the victim and thought the victim was rebellious, leading to frequent abuse."

On the other hand, A’s lawyer rebutted, "While admitting to child abuse and special injury charges, we cannot agree to the murder charge as there was no intent," claiming that although A jumped on the travel bag, the intensity was not strong.

Regarding the prosecution’s claim that a hairdryer wind was blown into the travel bag, the defense denied the charge, stating, "The wind was only blown onto B’s arm that was outside the bag."

Meanwhile, the sentencing for A is scheduled to be held at 1:40 p.m. on the 7th of next month in courtroom 301 at the Cheonan Branch of Daejeon District Court.

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