▲ Incheon District Court
A daughter who neglected her ailing father, leading to his death from malnutrition, has been sentenced to prison.
Incheon District Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Kim Gi-pung) announced on October 20 that it has sentenced a woman in her 30s, identified as A, to three years and six months in prison on charges of abandonment resulting in death of an ascendant.
A was put on trial for leaving her 76-year-old father, B, unattended without providing meals or care at their home in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, from June of last year until July 22 of last year, resulting in his death.
Investigations revealed that although B was unable to eat meals or relieve himself on his own, A did not take her father to the hospital.
While neglecting B and failing to even give him the rice and side dishes prepared by a neighbor, A was found to have eaten cup tteokbokki by herself on the building stairs.
Ultimately, B died at around 6:37 PM on July 22 of last year due to electrolyte imbalance caused by malnutrition and other factors.
At the time of his death, B stood 170 centimeters tall but weighed only 34 kilograms.
Investigations showed that B had also ventured outside to buy food on May 30 of last year, collapsed, and was diagnosed with generalized weakness at a nearby hospital.
The local administrative welfare center had registered B as a case management recipient on May 13 of last year and provided him with lunchboxes and food.
However, when welfare center staff visited four days before his death, A kept the door locked and refused to open it, and even drove them away and closed the door on the day of his death.
Living off monthly rent and a basic pension for the elderly, A even visited the administrative welfare center to apply for and receive a primary livelihood recovery subsidy on the very day her father died.
The court stated, "Despite having the duty to support and protect her father, who was incapable of daily life and in need of medical treatment, the defendant abandoned him for a long period, leading to his death." The court ruled that the nature of the crime is very grave considering the duration of the offense and its unfilial nature.
The court added in its sentencing reasoning, "The victim must have suffered considerable pain until his death, especially given that the defendant recognized the need for treatment as his condition deteriorated rapidly and received some support from welfare officials, yet still abandoned the victim for a long period without providing even minimal care."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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