Prosecutors have requested a life sentence for a woman in her 30s who beat her 8-month-old son to death with a TV remote control.
During the final hearing held today (July 14) at the Ansan Branch of the Suwon District Court, presided over by Judge Park Ji-young of the Second Criminal Division, prosecutors requested a life sentence for the defendant, identified as A, and also requested a five-year probation order.
The prosecution stated, "Although the defendant denies the intent to commit the crime, she was fully aware that striking the head of an 8-month-old infant could lead to death, yet she proceeded with the act."
In response, A's defense attorney stated, "We acknowledge that the victim died as a result of the defendant's actions," but added, "The evidence presented by the prosecution does not sufficiently prove that there was an intent to kill at the time of the crime," once again denying the intent to murder.
In her final statement, A said, "I am spending my days in agony due to the guilt of sending my child to heaven," and added, "I will become a warmer mother than anyone else to my first child as a way to apologize to my second child (who passed away). Please show leniency."
A was arrested and indicted on charges of beating her 8-month-old son, B, with a remote control at their home in Siheung on April 10 because he was crying and fussing. The child died four days later.
Investigations revealed that after the assault, A took her son to a local pediatric clinic when he would not stop crying. Despite being advised to seek care at a larger hospital, she returned home. Later, at a general hospital in Bucheon, she was advised to have the child hospitalized but failed to do so.
B's condition worsened, and he was taken to the emergency room of the same general hospital three days later, where he passed away the following day.
The sentencing hearing for A is scheduled for August 27.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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