"I Trusted Them and Sent My Child": Disabled Person Assaulted 228 Times at Development Center

Prosecutors have demanded a heavy prison sentence for a facility worker who assaulted a person with severe disabilities more than 200 times at a development center in Incheon.

During the sentencing hearing held on the 8th by Incheon District Court Criminal Division 15 (presiding judge), prosecutors sought a seven-year prison sentence for A, a woman in her 50s working at a daytime activity service center for people with developmental disabilities in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, who was indicted on charges including rape of a person under protection with disabilities under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. They also requested a seven-year employment restriction at disability-related institutions.

Additionally, prosecutors demanded a 3-million-won fine with a three-year employment restriction for B, a male worker in his 50s indicted for violating the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act, and a 10-million-won fine for C, the 40-year-old center director.

Prosecutors stated the reason for the sentencing demands, saying, "This is a case where a victim, vulnerable in terms of self-protection, was abused multiple times over a long period. Considering the nature of the acts and the frequency, the offense is extremely grave and has not been settled with the victim."

The mother of victim D, who appeared in court that day, cried out, "My child is a person with severe developmental disabilities who cannot properly express if something hurts or if someone is bullying them. I sent my child believing the teachers would take good care of them, but tears of blood well up when I think that sending them to the center was a painful path to hell for my child."

She broke down in tears, saying, "My biggest fear after giving birth to a disabled child was who would take care of this child after I die. How can I close my eyes in peace and leave this child behind?"

She continued to plead with the court, saying, "Out of self-blame, I haven't been able to sleep for over a year. Please show the defendants the strictness of the law so that all people with disabilities and their families can live believing in social justice."

The defendants took contrasting stances.

In her final statement, A admitted to the charges and asked for leniency, saying, "I am a major criminal who doesn't even deserve to say such words. I lost my original intentions, committed crimes through wrong methods, and inflicted unforgivable suffering on the victim and the parents."

On the other hand, B, who faces charges of emotional abuse, and C, the head of the center facing charges of failing in management and supervision, both denied any intent.

B emphasized, "I earnestly state that I never once had the intent to emotionally abuse or neglect the victim."

C also said, "I sufficiently educated the staff and did my utmost to ensure safety. If there were shortcomings as a result, I will thoroughly ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future."

A was indicted on charges of assaulting severe disability victim D 228 times and committing indecent acts, such as kicking sensitive body parts twice, between October 2024 and April of last year.

CCTV footage played in court that day captured scenes of A hitting D on the head and sensitive areas.

B was sent to trial on charges of emotional abuse for ignoring twice the expression of intent by another disabled person who wanted to use the restroom, and C was prosecuted for neglecting the management and supervision of the center.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.