Prosecutor Chokes Up in Court: "Haedeun Smiled in His Mother's Arms," While Mother Pleads for Leniency

The prosecution has once again demanded strict punishment during the appellate trial of parents who repeatedly abused their 4-month-old son, eventually leading to his death.

On the morning of July 7, during the final hearing for the appellate trial of the parents involved in the so-called Haedeun case at the Gwangju High Court, prosecutors requested life imprisonment for the mother, identified as A, who is charged with murder. They also requested a 10-year prison sentence for the father, identified as B, for child neglect.

The prosecution stated, "The mother, A, cruelly abused the child, who could not even hold up his own head, by dropping him and stepping on him, using him as an outlet for her emotions."

The female prosecutor attending the trial added, "Despite this, footage from the home camera confirmed that the child smiled even more brightly when he was in his mother's arms."

The prosecutor became choked up as she said, "Based on common experience, a child feels most comfortable in their mother's arms."

At that moment, sighs and sounds of sobbing erupted from various parts of the courtroom.

Regarding the father, B, who is the husband of A, the prosecution stated, "He was in the best position to know his wife's parenting style and the child's condition, yet he ignored his responsibilities by neglecting the abuse for a significant period." They requested a 10-year prison sentence, which is heavier than the sentence handed down in the first trial.

In the first trial, the mother, A, was sentenced to life imprisonment for charges including assaulting her 4-month-old son at their home in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, in October of last year, and leaving him unattended in a baby bathtub filled with water, which led to his death.

Her husband, B, was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial for charges including neglecting his wife's abuse.

In the appellate court, the mother's legal counsel acknowledged the potential intent to kill but argued for a reduced sentence.

During her final statement, the mother read a letter addressed to the deceased Haedeun, saying, "I will pray that the child goes to a good place."

The husband, B, also asked for leniency, stating, "Please consider the fact that we have a first child to raise."

The appellate court's ruling for the couple will be delivered on the afternoon of August 25.

Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Seo Byeong-uk | Graphics by Lee Su-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.