40s Mother Who Abandoned Son's Body in Refrigerator Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison on Appeal

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] A mother in her 40s who was prosecuted for neglecting her son to death and abandoning the body in a refrigerator was sentenced to five years in prison in the appellate court, the same as in the first trial.

The 1st Criminal Division of the Gwangju High Court (Chief Judge Lee Seung-chul) on the 7th upheld the first trial's sentence of five years in prison for Ms. A (42, female), who was charged with child abuse resulting in death, concealment of a corpse, and child abandonment and neglect.

She was also ordered to complete an 80-hour child abuse treatment program and was banned from employment in child-related institutions for five years.

Ms. A was indicted for neglecting her two-month-old son at her home in Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, in October 2018, causing his death by suffocation due to intestinal obstruction.

She left the body in the master bedroom for several days, and when it began to decompose, she wrapped it in a blanket and stored it in the freezer for about two years, according to the investigation.

She is also accused of failing to provide basic care such as food, clothing, and shelter for her first son (7) and second daughter (2).

The court stated the sentencing reasons, saying, "Although she is deeply remorseful and a first-time offender, the crime is serious as she abandoned the children she was supposed to protect and supervise, resulting in death."

It added, "She also neglected the other two children by not properly caring for them," and explained, "The original court's judgment does not seem excessive."

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