Couple Sentenced for 'Cruel Abuse' of 10-Year-Old Daughter... Biological Mother Recognized with Mental Incapacity

Habitual Abuse Over Four Months from January to May
Daughter Escapes Using Roof of Home Villa in May

The biological mother (in yellow) accused of child abuse in the 'Changnyeong 10-year-old Child Abuse Case' is leaving the court after the first trial session of the first instance held on the afternoon of August 14 at the Miryang Branch of Changwon District Court in Miryang, Gyeongnam. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A stepfather and biological mother, who were arrested on charges of brutally abusing their 10-year-old daughter, were each sentenced to prison in the first trial.

The Criminal Division 1 of Changwon District Court Milyang Branch (Chief Judge Kim Jongsu) announced on the 18th that stepfather A (36) and biological mother B (29), who were indicted on charges of habitual child abuse, were each sentenced to 6 years and 3 years in prison, respectively. The court also ordered the couple to be banned from employment at child and youth-related facilities for 5 years and to complete 40 hours of a child abuse program.

The court stated, "Due to their violence, the victim suffered broken teeth and bruises all over her body, including both eyes," adding, "Such parental violence leaves children with post-traumatic stress disorder that is not easily healed."

However, regarding the biological mother B’s claim of diminished mental capacity, the court acknowledged, "Although she was previously diagnosed and treated for schizophrenia and paranoia, she did not receive psychiatric treatment after becoming pregnant and giving birth to her youngest child last year."

In this regard, the court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "Neither the stepfather nor the biological mother has a prior criminal record related to child abuse," and "In the case of the biological mother, she lived in her uncle’s house due to an unfortunate family environment and was not protected during her childhood, experiencing self-harm and pregnancy."

The villa in Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongnam, where 10-year-old elementary school student A, who was abused by her stepfather and biological mother, lived / Photo by Yonhap News

The couple, Mr. and Mrs. A, are accused of abusing their daughter, Ms. C, over four months from January to May by tying her with chains and inflicting injuries on parts of her body with heated metal chopsticks.

Unable to endure the abuse any longer, Ms. C escaped by climbing the roof on the 4th floor rooftop of an apartment in May and was found running along a road in Changnyeong in her pajamas by a resident.

At the time of discovery, Ms. C reportedly had severe injuries, including bruises around her eyes and blisters on her fingers.

According to Ms. C’s testimony, the couple abused her using a glue gun, heated metal chopsticks, and frying pans to inflict injuries on parts of her body. They also locked her in a bathtub filled with water, beat her with metal rods, tied her neck with chains, locked her with a padlock, and left her on the terrace.

Earlier, the prosecution demanded a 10-year prison sentence for Mr. A and a 7-year sentence for Mrs. B in September, citing the cruelty of their abuse and the severe physical and mental harm caused to the victim child. The prosecution charged them with habitual special injury, confinement, habitual child abandonment and neglect, among other charges.

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