Woman in Her 30s Booked for Child Neglect After Blowing Smoke in Daughter’s Face and Handing Her E-Cigarette

"Distorted Emotional Response Originating from an Environment Where Violence Is Normalized"

In Cheongju, controversy has arisen after it was revealed that a woman in her 30s gave her elementary school-aged daughter an electronic cigarette and allowed her to smoke.

Elementary School Daughter Smokes with Mother and Abuses Pet Dog

Animal Rights Organization CARE Official Instagram

On the 23rd, Cheongwon Police Station in Cheongju announced that a woman in her 30s, referred to as Ms. A, has been booked without detention on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act (child neglect) for encouraging her elementary school-aged daughter to smoke. Ms. A is accused of placing an electronic cigarette in her daughter's mouth and having her inhale the vapor in front of a convenience store in Cheongju on the 17th.

According to closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage released by the animal rights organization Care, Ms. A visited the convenience store with her three children and pet dog, purchased instant noodles, drinks, and other items, and ate at a table in front of the store.

During this time, Ms. A smoked in front of her children and blew cigarette vapor toward her daughter’s face. When her daughter reached out her hand, Ms. A handed her the electronic cigarette. The daughter then smoked, exhaled the vapor, and even passed it on to her younger sibling. Ms. A did not stop this behavior, and the footage also captured the daughter repeatedly hitting and abusing the pet dog.

"This Goes Beyond Lack of Discipline or Misbehavior...A Serious Crime"

Animal Rights Organization Care Official Instagram

Through its official Instagram account, Care stated, "This case goes beyond a simple lack of discipline or a moment of misbehavior," and emphasized, "It is a serious crime that simultaneously threatens the health and safety of the child and the life of the animal."

Regarding the scene of young children smoking electronic cigarettes, Care pointed out, "This is clearly an act of neglect and abuse that seriously threatens the child’s body and health." On the abuse of the pet dog, the organization explained, "The eldest daughter persistently and forcefully struck the head of a puppy, which appears to be a two-month-old poodle, repeatedly. This was a prolonged and continuous assault that goes far beyond simple mischief, and ultimately the puppy displayed abnormal symptoms, unable to hold up its head properly."

Care further added, "Immediately afterward, the child behaved as if nothing had happened, hugging and kissing the dog, which is difficult to understand," and pointed out, "This is very likely a distorted emotional response that appears in environments where violence has become normalized."

Meanwhile, the police have launched an investigation after receiving a report from a civic group suspecting child abuse and related offenses.

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