Sister with Intellectual Disability Left Tied Up and Neglected to Death... Younger Brother's Sentence Increased in 2nd Trial

Daejeon Court Complex. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo-mi Lee] The appellate court sentenced a man in his 30s to 7 years and 6 months in prison, increasing the original 5-year sentence handed down in the first trial, for leaving his intellectually disabled older sister tied up by her legs and arms and neglecting her until she died.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Daejeon High Court (Chief Judge Baek Seung-yeop) announced on the 2nd that it overturned the original ruling and sentenced A (39) to 7 years and 6 months in prison on charges of abuse resulting in death.

The court explained, "The victim, whose mental age was at the level of a 3-year-old, frequently caused disorder in the house by turning on the gas stove or cutting family members' clothes with scissors, so cleaning up after her was the defendant's daily routine," adding, "It appears that the defendant became mentally exhausted after even his own children were born with disabilities."

It continued, "However, the main responsibility in this case lies with the defendant, who lived with the victim excessively due to government support money received on behalf of the victim," and stated the sentencing rationale, "Considering that the defendant left the victim tied by her arms and legs and neglected her, taking away a precious life, the original sentence was too light."

A was prosecuted for tying up and neglecting his intellectually disabled older sister, who was classified as level 1 intellectually disabled, at their home in Cheonan, Chungnam, on February 18 last year, when the average temperature was minus 4.9 degrees Celsius, without heating, which ultimately led to her death from hypothermia and malnutrition.

Investigations revealed that from July 2019, A abused the victim by tying her up for periods ranging from one day to three days, going to work, or starving her.

Due to A's crimes, the victim's weight, which had previously been over 80 kg, reportedly dropped to 28 kg.

It was also found that after the victim's father and grandmother, who had cared for her, passed away in 2015, A lived with the victim along with his spouse before committing the crimes.

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