Mother Habitually Stays Out Overnight Leaving Two-Year-Old Alone... Police Apply Child Abuse Homicide Charges

by Park Haesook

Published 10 Feb.2023 10:43(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A mother who left her two-year-old son alone at home for three days and caused his death has been charged with child abuse resulting in death.

The Women and Juvenile Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 10th that the charge against Ms. A (24), who was previously detained on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death under the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, will be changed to child abuse homicide and she will be sent to the prosecution.

The police believe that Ms. A habitually neglected her son, B (2). Ms. A reportedly left B alone at home at night to meet friends, drink alcohol, or play games at a PC cafe, returning home the next morning.

The police determined that Ms. A’s habitual neglect ultimately led to B’s death and changed the charge accordingly. Generally, if the suspect sufficiently anticipated the possibility of the victim’s death and had a mindset that death was unavoidable, the charge of murder with implied intent is applied.

A 2-year-old child was left alone at home and died in a villa in Michuhol-gu, Incheon. The police plan to send the mother, Ms. A (24), to the prosecution on charges of child abuse resulting in death.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ms. A is accused of leaving B alone at her home in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, from the 30th of last month to the 2nd of this month, resulting in his death.

The National Forensic Service conducted an autopsy on B’s body and gave a preliminary verbal opinion to the police that "death may have occurred due to prolonged lack of food supply."

During the police investigation, Ms. A stated, "I went out briefly to help a couple I know who work at a car repair shop and planned to return soon," adding, "The work ended very late, and I had a drink, so I couldn’t come back."

She has been living without a steady job since separating from her husband last summer, occasionally working part-time, and it was reported that she had recently failed to pay water and city gas bills on time.