Police are investigating child abuse charges against adults who lived with children in connection with the death of a child who had been living at a church in Cheonan, South Chungcheong.
The South Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency said on Aug. 8 that it is investigating whether three adults who lived with A, an 11-year-old boy who died, at the church can be charged with offenses including child abuse resulting in death. A was taken to a hospital by 119 paramedics after showing a high fever and decreased consciousness at a church in Cheonan at about 8:49 p.m. on the 5th, but died.
Medical staff suspected signs of abuse on A's body and filed a suspected child abuse report with police. Police who launched an investigation have requested an autopsy from the National Forensic Service to determine the exact cause of death. The National Forensic Service is said to have delivered an initial verbal opinion that no abnormalities such as fractures were found. However, the results of a detailed analysis are expected in three weeks to one month.
A was found to have lived at the church continuously since birth. The adults are also said to have lived at the church with A. In particular, police are said to be investigating whether abuse occurred after securing a witness statement that A "was tied to a bed."