30s Mother Sentenced to Prison for Child Abuse and Neglect Due to Parenting Stress

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam sentenced a woman in her 30s to imprisonment for leaving home for long periods and abusing her children due to parenting stress.

According to the Criminal Division 6 of Changwon District Court on the 8th, mother A, who was indicted on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act and child abandonment, hit her 6-year-old son B multiple times on the leg with a back scratcher because he was playing instead of taking care of 1-year-old C.

Investigations revealed that the abuse of B occurred three times from 2020 to September 2021.

Changwon District Court, Gyeongnam.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

In August 2021, A hit B's head with a plastic milk container in anger after seeing B not giving milk to C.

In September of the same year, around 11:30 p.m., she left B, C, and 4-year-old D at home and went out, leaving them unattended for 8 hours until the biological father returned home, citing mother-in-law conflicts and parenting stress.

A was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a 2-year probation.

The court stated the sentencing reasons, saying, "B likely suffered considerable mental distress due to physical abuse on three occasions. However, considering that she admitted all wrongdoings, showed remorse, and the actual damage caused by neglect was not severe."

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