Single-Parent Disabled Families Face Consecutive 'Child Homicides'... Is There No Way to Prevent These Tragedies?

Series of 'Filicide' Cases Occur in Siheung and Suwon
Struggles Due to Financial Hardship
Experts Say "Delicate Support Needed to Address Parents' Emotional Well-being"

Tragic incidents of children being killed consecutively in single-parent families have caused deep sorrow. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] A series of incidents occurred in which mothers living in single-parent households struggling with financial difficulties were consecutively arrested by the police on charges of killing their children with disabilities. Although these incidents happened in different families, the fact that they involved single-parent households, children with disabilities who were killed, and financial hardships has led to criticism that the social safety net for single-parent families with disabled children is inadequate. Experts have suggested that psychological support for parents in vulnerable households should be strengthened to prevent such tragedies.

On the 3rd, in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, a mother A (54) was urgently arrested for strangling her daughter in her 20s who had a severe developmental disability. After killing her daughter, A attempted an extreme act but failed and eventually surrendered to the police. A will left by A was also found at the scene, containing the message, "May you meet good parents in your next life."

It was revealed that A had been living alone with her daughter after divorcing her husband and was struggling financially. She was battling terminal thyroid cancer and was physically unable to move, making economic activity virtually impossible. Her income reportedly consisted solely of the basic living allowance from the government, her daughter's disability allowance, and the occasional money her daughter earned from part-time jobs.

On the same day, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, the police launched an investigation after a mother, who was the head of a single-parent household, killed her child. A woman in her 40s, B, was arrested on charges of killing her 7-year-old son who had an intellectual disability. Police, who responded to a report from B's brother, found B in a self-harming state after killing her son. The son was about to attend his elementary school entrance ceremony that day.

During the investigation, B reportedly stated, "It was difficult to take care of my disabled son." As an unmarried mother, B raised her son alone in a semi-basement room without a particular job. She also received basic living and housing benefits from the government.

The photo is not related to any specific expressions in the article.

Because such tragic incidents of children being killed due to financial hardship occurred on the same day within single-parent households, criticism has arisen that the social safety net for single-parent families with disabled children is insufficient. A 20-something office worker A said, "Hearing consecutive sad news makes me feel uneasy," adding, "Killing one's child is indeed a serious crime, but I think it happened because they felt they couldn't rely on state support. Since they are the only ones responsible for their children and are also ill, the situation is just heartbreaking."

Experts advised that, especially since the responsibility of heads of single-parent households is greater, policies that also care for their emotional and psychological stability are necessary.

Professor Seok Jae-eun of Hallym University’s Department of Social Welfare explained, "When listening to the voices of single-parent families with disabled children, their biggest worry is 'What if I disappear?' These parents say they want to live just one day longer than their child because they believe no one else will take care of their child if they die. Also, since one person has to bear everything, the burden of caregiving is considerable. While killing one's child is undoubtedly a crime, the lifelong care for a sick child can increase parental depression."

Professor Seok added, "There are laws for people with developmental disabilities and support programs, but the reality is that they are still insufficient," suggesting, "Like in advanced countries, it is necessary to focus on vulnerable groups and minority voices and implement delicate policies." She emphasized, "It is important to continuously send messages of solidarity to vulnerable groups through social support for them and to soothe the hearts of single-parent families."

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