High School Senior Suspected of COVID-19 Death Actually Died from Cousin's Assault Due to Sepsis

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] The cause of death of a high school senior who was found dead last year in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, with lung damage and suspected of having contracted COVID-19, was revealed to be sepsis caused by assault from his cousin.

On the 30th, according to the legal community, the Criminal Division 1 of the Daegu District Court Pohang Branch (Chief Judge Kwon Sunhyang) announced that A (30), who was indicted for injury resulting in death, was found guilty of injury and sentenced to one year in prison. B (46), who was indicted for violating the Child Welfare Act (child abandonment and neglect), was sentenced to two years in prison with a three-year probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

In May of last year, at his home in Buk-gu, Pohang, A became enraged when his cousin C said, "I was scammed on goods and borrowed money through online gambling, and the interest has increased a lot, so please pay me back," and assaulted him multiple times on his arms and legs with a wooden broom, causing injuries.

B, the father, heard about the corporal punishment from his nephew and confirmed the wounds on C's body, but since the child said "I'm okay," he did not take him to the hospital. Later, C's condition rapidly worsened, having difficulty even sitting at school and experiencing diarrhea throughout the house, but B continued to neglect the situation.

Ultimately, C, who did not receive proper treatment, died 13 days after being beaten by B due to sepsis caused by injuries to his buttocks and legs and internal bleeding in the abdomen. At the time, there was suspicion of COVID-19 infection due to lung damage. However, test results came back negative, and the quarantine authorities announced that an investigation was needed based on the discovery of bruises on the body.

The court stated, "A used a dangerous object during the crime, which caused C's death. However, it seems difficult to have foreseen that C would die from sepsis due to lack of proper treatment."

Regarding B, the court said, "Although the neglect was a cause of the victim's condition worsening and the guilt is not light, he excuses himself by saying his son refused treatment. However, considering that he lost his only child and must live with regret and self-blame for causing the death," explaining the sentencing rationale.

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