'Auntie Demon' Who Killed 5-Year-Old Nephew Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison on Appeal

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] An aunt who fatally assaulted her 5-year-old niece under the pretext of discipline was sentenced to prison again in the appellate court.

The Gwangju High Court Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Lee Seung-chul) on the 20th dismissed the appeals of both the prosecution and the defendant A (40), who was detained and indicted on charges of child abuse resulting in death.

The court upheld the original sentence of 7 years imprisonment, ordered completion of a 40-hour child abuse treatment program, and imposed a 5-year employment restriction at child-related institutions.

A was indicted for repeatedly hitting her niece B (5), whom she was raising, with a glass window cleaning rod at an apartment in Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, from the night of February 13 to around 10:30 a.m. on February 14, causing her death.

B vomited and collapsed in the home bathroom, and was transported to the hospital after a report from another family member but died.

Multiple bruises were found on B’s body, and the cause of death was confirmed as traumatic shock.

A is also accused of physically abusing B by hitting her buttocks and calves or giving corporal punishment from November to December last year.

The court stated, "The corporal punishment, which began under the pretext of discipline, was repeated and ultimately led to this incident," adding, "The victim child’s father has requested leniency, and the defendant has admitted to all charges and shown sincere remorse during this appeal."

However, "Considering the specific motive and circumstances of the crime and the severity of the resulting harm, the original sentence is within a reasonable discretionary range," the court ruled.

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