Shocking Substance Found in 3-Year-Old's Blood... Case Closed as "Not Abuse"

Seven years ago, a 44-month-old girl died in Seoul.

Bruises and wounds covered her entire body, and even capsaicin, the component that causes a spicy taste, was detected in her blood.

The National Forensic Service judged it questionable whether the child could have ingested this on her own, but the police concluded the case without converting it into a formal investigation, stating there were no criminal suspicions.

On the 7th, the child's father applied to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for an investigation review regarding the case.

He is asking for a re-examination of whether the police's judgment surrounding his daughter's death seven years ago was appropriate.

Girl A died on June 28, 2019.

The autopsy results analyzed that head injuries played a major role in her death, alongside a deterioration in her overall physical condition, including severe dehydration.

The autopsy also detected capsaicin in Girl A's blood, indicating the possibility that a significant amount had been ingested.

While stating that capsaicin could not be linked as the cause of death, the National Forensic Service noted that it was questionable whether Girl A had ingested it by herself.

Girl A's older sister reportedly stated at a Sunflower Center that her stepmother fed Girl A spicy sauces, such as hot sauce, while disciplining her.

Photos attached to the autopsy report also confirmed bruises and subcutaneous hemorrhages all over Girl A's body, including her head, torso, both arms, and both legs.

However, the National Forensic Service stated that it was difficult to pinpoint how the head injury occurred through an autopsy alone, but judged that the possibility of abuse by another person could not be completely ruled out due to circumstances—such as the detection of capsaicin—making it difficult to view the actions as self-inflicted.

Nevertheless, the Seongbuk Police Station concluded the case in April at the pre-booking investigation stage, deeming there to be no criminal suspicions.

In response, the father requested an evaluation of whether the police's decision not to even make a formal booking was appropriate, pointing out that emergency medical staff had also suspected child abuse at the time, and that the circumstances surrounding the bruises all over her body, the head injury, and the ingestion of capsaicin had not been clarified.

He emphasized that an investigation was necessary, explaining that because he was frequently away on business trips, it was difficult for him to directly confirm the circumstances of the child being abused.

If the application for an investigation review is accepted, external experts such as lawyers and legal scholars will review whether the police's closure of the case was appropriate and whether supplementary investigation or reinvestigation is necessary.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.