Father Throws 3-Year-Old Son onto Stone Bed for Wetting Diaper

Abuse Uncovered During Prosecutors' Supplementary Investigation

It has been determined that, in the case of a 3-year-old child who died from a head injury in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, the biological father threw the child onto a stone bed, resulting in the child's death.

On May 6, the Criminal Division 3 of the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Juhyeon) announced that a man in his 20s, referred to as Mr. A, had been indicted and taken into custody on charges including child abuse resulting in death, in violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes.

Uijeongbu District Prosecutor's Office, Ganeung-dong, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi Province. Yonhap News Agency

Enraged by Wet Diaper... Thrown onto Stone Bed

Mr. A is accused of becoming angry because his 3-year-old son, referred to as B, urinated in his diaper on April 9 at their residence in Okjeong-dong, Yangju. In a fit of anger, Mr. A allegedly grabbed B by one arm and forcefully threw him onto a stone bed, causing his death.

During the police investigation phase, the exact cause of B's head injury had not been clearly identified. However, through a supplementary investigation, the prosecutors confirmed that Mr. A had thrown B onto the stone bed on the day of the incident.

The prosecution determined that, during this process, B's head, chin, and other body parts struck the surface and edges of the stone bed, resulting in traumatic subdural hemorrhage and other injuries. B subsequently underwent brain surgery and received treatment in the intensive care unit but died of cerebral edema at 11:33 p.m. on April 14.

Repeated Abuse Revealed

During the supplementary investigation, prosecutors also reviewed a previous case from December of last year, when a report was filed suspecting child abuse of B, but the case was dropped without charges. Prosecutors found that in December, Mr. A physically abused B by hitting his buttocks with a back scratcher and forcing his head against a wall for allegedly lying, resulting in injuries to B's head area.

After receiving the case from the police, prosecutors confiscated and conducted forensic analysis of the mobile phones of the cohabiting family members. They also executed search and seizure warrants at hospitals and daycare centers attended by B. In addition, through analysis of university hospital medical records, medical consultations, further forensic medicine consultations beyond the autopsy, and interviews with witnesses, prosecutors confirmed that Mr. A had continuously abused B through abnormal parenting methods even before the incident.

At the beginning of the case, when prosecutors were informed by the police that Mr. A and his family were considering the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for B, they requested the police to implement temporary measures, including suspension of parental rights. Subsequently, the court suspended Mr. A's parental rights and appointed a temporary guardian.

Prosecutors plan to work with relevant organizations, such as the city government, the education office, and the police, to explore protective and support measures, including psychological counseling, for Mr. A's other children, as they either directly witnessed or were aware of B's death.

Previously, at 6:44 p.m. on April 9, a report was received stating, "A baby is crying and convulsing," at an apartment in Okjeong-dong, Yangju. B was transported to the hospital unconscious, underwent brain surgery, and received treatment, but died on April 14.

Hospital staff identified signs of head trauma and suspected child abuse, and reported the parents to the police. The police have also booked B's biological mother, Ms. C, who is in her 20s, for violating the Child Welfare Act and have formed a dedicated investigation team to conduct further inquiries.

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