Jeongin's Adoptive Mother, Evidence Verification Circumstances After False Statement to Police

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] There is evidence that the adoptive mother accused of abusing and causing the death of 16-month-old adoptee Jeong-in lied to the police and checked through her husband whether any evidence remained.

On the 14th, the Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-ju) held a trial session where the prosecution submitted messenger chat logs exchanged between the adoptive mother Jang and the adoptive father Ahn as evidence.

In the conversation, Jang said, "I told the police I left (the child) in the car for about 10 minutes, but I think it was actually longer," and asked Ahn, "Please check how long the car’s black box stores footage and whether the video still exists."

After confirming that there was almost no footage left on the black box, Jang expressed relief, saying "Thank goodness." She also said, "What kind of hardship is this? Who is the snitch?"

Jang’s side submitted a childcare diary written by her as evidence, claiming, "The defendant had affection for the child until the early stages of adoption." The diary contained entries such as "I am grateful that the child seems to be gradually opening up," and "I am thankful that the adoption process has been completed and we have officially become a family with the child."

Meanwhile, at the trial that day, Professor Lee Jung-bin, a distinguished professor at Gachon University College of Medicine who appeared as a witness, testified that Jeong-in appeared to have died from strong external force applied through her feet or hands. Professor Lee stated, "There were also injuries that seemed to be caused by hitting the side with a wooden stick or twisting the arm to break it," and added, "The severed pancreas is also presumed to have been damaged before the day of death."

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