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Mother sentenced to life in prison for fatally abusing her 4-month-old infant

Published: 23 Apr. 2026, 17:03

Mourning wreaths are placed in front of the Suncheon branch of the Gwangju District Court in Suncheon, South Jeolla, on April 23 in memory of 4-month-old infant who died after being abused by the mother. [YONHAP]

A mother has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally abusing her 4-month-old son, the Suncheon branch of the Gwangju District Court ruled on Thursday.

She was indicted on Oct. 22, 2025, after being accused of repeatedly assaulting the infant at their home in Yeosu, South Jeolla, and leaving the child in a bathtub filled with running water. He eventually died from multiple fractures and blood loss.

Investigators subsequently found that she had abused the child 19 separate times since Aug. 24 of the same year.

The spouse was charged with neglecting to report the abuse and threatening to file a complaint against a witness and was sentenced to four years and six months in prison.

Prosecutors had sought life imprisonment for the mother and 10 years in prison for the spouse.

The case sparked public outrage after surveillance footage showing scenes of abuse was partially revealed on SBS’s investigative program “Unanswered Question” (1992–).

BY HAN YOUNG-HYE. [[email protected]]