A mother who abused her 4-month-old son and caused his death was sentenced to life in prison.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Suncheon Branch of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Yong-gyu) on the 23rd sentenced A, in her 30s, to life in prison on charges including child abuse murder under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, and sentenced A's husband, B, to 4 years and 6 months in prison.
A was indicted and detained on charges of assaulting her 4-month-old son at her home in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, at 11:43 a.m. on Oct. 22 last year and leaving him in a bathtub with the water running, causing death from multiple fractures and bleeding. It was found that she committed abuse 19 times from Aug. 24 of the same year. B was indicted and detained on charges of neglecting the abuse and threatening to sue a witness in the case (violations of the Child Welfare Act, etc.).
Prosecutors sought life in prison for A and 10 years for B. The case, known as the "Haedeun case," sparked public outrage after home camera footage containing scenes of abuse was released.