A mother who gave birth to a baby in a commercial building restroom and abandoned the infant in a trash can has been indicted while in custody.
The prosecution suspended the mother's parental rights and provided support for the victim's recovery through cooperation with hospitals and relevant agencies.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office's Women and Child Crimes Investigation Department 2 (Chief Prosecutor Park Ji-na) announced today, July 8, that it had indicted the mother, identified as A, on charges of attempted child abuse murder under the Child Abuse Punishment Act this past May.
A is accused of giving birth to the baby in a restroom at her workplace on April 3 and abandoning the infant in a trash can.
The baby was discovered by a colleague of A and transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest. After receiving emergency treatment, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the infant recovered and has been receiving intensive care in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The police launched an investigation following the report from the colleague and referred A to the prosecution after taking her into custody.
The prosecution subsequently held a Child Abuse Case Management Meeting with relevant agencies, including the Seoul National University Hospital Child Protection Committee, the Victim Support Center, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, to discuss a long-term and integrated protection plan for the abandoned newborn.
Recognizing that it would be difficult to proceed with the prompt consent procedures required for the baby's medical treatment because the mother, A, was in custody, the prosecution filed an ex officio request with the Seoul Family Court for a temporary measure to suspend her parental rights.
As the court accepted the prosecution's request, the hospital was able to perform necessary procedures in a timely manner with the consent of a temporary guardian (the baby's maternal grandfather), which played a decisive role in the baby's recovery.
The prosecution also proceeded with the birth registration ex officio so that the child could receive various welfare benefits, including medical services, financial transactions, and child allowances.
On July 2, the prosecution formally requested a judgment for the termination of A's parental rights and asked for the head of the facility where the child is currently placed to be appointed as the minor's guardian.
The prosecution stated, "We will respond strictly to child abuse crimes with a zero-tolerance policy and do our utmost in public interest activities to protect victimized children from the perspective of the 'best interests of the child'."
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