30s Couple Sentenced to Prison Again in 2nd Trial for Giving Adopted Child with Brain Hemorrhage Sleeping Pills and Traveling...

Defendant and Prosecution Appeal Dismissed... Original Sentence of 3 to 5 Years Imprisonment Upheld

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] A couple in their 30s who neglected an adopted child showing symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage, resulting in the child's death, was sentenced to prison again in the appellate court.

The Gwangju High Court 2-2 Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Seong Chung-yong, Wi Gwang-ha, Park Jeong-hoon) on the afternoon of the 3rd dismissed both the defendants' and the prosecution's appeals claiming the sentence was unfair in the appeal trial of Kim (35) and Jo (39, female), who were charged with child abuse resulting in death.

Kim and Jo were sentenced to 3 years and 5 years in prison respectively in the first trial.

The couple was prosecuted for neglecting an adopted child (3 years old at the time) who showed symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage by not taking the child to the hospital, which led to the child's death.

In April 2019, they gave the adopted child, who was unable to eat properly and showed symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage such as a high fever of 39 to 40 degrees Celsius and seizures, zolpidem (a sleeping pill) and went on a family trip.

They left the child, whose consciousness was deteriorating, in a hotel room at the travel destination without providing appropriate treatment, and only discovered the child was in a state of apnea late that night and called 119 (emergency services).

Ultimately, the child died in the emergency room from head injuries including subdural hemorrhage, brain contusion, and brain edema.

The couple claimed, "We did not give zolpidem, and the adopted child was able to eat when leaving for the family trip and was conscious upon arrival at the hotel," and "We did not recognize that the child was in a critical condition that could lead to death."

The court stated, "There is no evidence to suggest that the defendants adopted the victim for economic gain," but added, "They were aware of the symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage but failed to take appropriate measures, resulting in an irreversible crime that led to death," explaining the reason for the sentencing.

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