Hitting Head with Lunch Tray... Habitually Abusive Daycare Teacher Receives Suspended Sentence on Appeal

Allegations of Habitual Abuse of One- and Two-Year-Old Children
Childcare Teacher Sentenced to Prison in First Trial Receives Reduced Sentence on Appeal

A female daycare teacher who was sentenced to prison in the first trial for habitual abuse of one- to two-year-old children received a reduced sentence in the appeal trial.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] A daycare teacher in her 40s, who was sentenced to prison in the first trial for habitual abuse of toddlers aged one to two, received a reduced sentence of probation in the appellate trial.

On the 13th, the 3rd Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Appellate Division, Presiding Judge Kim Taeho) announced that in the appeal trial of former childcare teacher A (49, female), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (aggravated punishment for child abuse by workers in child welfare facilities) and sentenced to one year in prison in the first trial, the original sentence was overturned and she was sentenced to one year in prison with two years of probation.

The court maintained the original orders from the first trial requiring A to complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention lectures and a three-year employment ban at child-related institutions.

The court explained the reasoning for the sentence, stating, "Considering that A reached a settlement with the victims' side and showed a reflective attitude through a period of detention, the original sentence was somewhat heavy and unjust."

A was tried for physically and emotionally abusing three children aged one to two at a daycare center in Gwangju where she worked, 13 times between May 28 and July 23 of last year.

At the time, it was revealed that A repeatedly struck parts of the children's bodies with her fists and palms, causing injuries. She hit a child's head with a food tray, grabbed and shook their ears, and punished them by making them stand alone in a corner of the classroom for 30 minutes. She also repeatedly engaged in actions beyond proper disciplinary methods for reasons such as "spilling food or not eating properly," "not properly cleaning the food tray," and "not taking naps."

Previously, the first trial court explained, "The sentence was determined considering that A neglected her responsibility to protect the children so they could grow up healthy and emotionally stable, committed multiple abusive acts with a bad nature, and the victims' parents' strong requests for severe punishment."

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