Prosecutors have requested a heavy prison sentence for a mother in her 20s who neglected her 19-month-old daughter, leading to the child's death from malnutrition.

During the final hearing held today (July 7) at the Incheon District Court, presided over by Judge Son Seung-beom of the 14th Criminal Division, prosecutors requested a 30-year prison sentence and five years of probation for the defendant, identified as A (29), who was indicted on charges including child abuse resulting in death under the Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes.

"The defendant neglected the victim for a long period without providing proper care, causing the child to suffer mentally and physically for two months before eventually dying," prosecutors stated. "Despite being fully aware of the child's condition, the defendant lived her personal life and spent time enjoying herself as if the child did not exist."

They added, "The victim expressed her needs through crying, but they were never addressed. As a mother with a duty to raise her child, the defendant must have been fully aware of the consequences of her actions, yet she shows no signs of remorse."

Explaining the reason for the sentencing request, prosecutors said, "Given the long-term neglect caused by her violent tendencies and irresponsible behavior, the risk of recidivism for child abuse is very high. Her overall attitude, including her attempt to evade responsibility during the investigation, suggests that it is unlikely she will improve easily, necessitating probation."

However, A's defense attorney argued that A, who has a borderline IQ of 75, was acting impulsively due to financial hardship and the stress of raising children, and that she had no intent to kill. The defense also claimed that her failure to take the child to the hospital when her condition worsened was due to her inability to judge what consequences her actions would have on the child.

Furthermore, the attorney stated, "A was living on government subsidies without any help from the father of her two children. This case is not a cruel crime committed with intent, but rather a tragedy that occurred because a vulnerable single mother could not bear the burden of raising her children due to the absence of a social safety net."

In her final statement, A bowed her head and said, "My rash choices have left an indelible stain on my life. I am deeply reflecting on the unforgivable sin I committed against my baby, and I will accept any punishment."

She added, "If you believe in my will to change and grant me leniency, I will keep in mind that this is not the end and will become a person who sets an example through my actions."

Home camera footage from A's home, which was partially released in court today, showed her yelling at and hitting her 19-month-old daughter, B.

In the footage from January 28, A was seen shouting at the crying child, saying, "Hey, get up. Are you not listening?" and "Do you want me to break your hand?"

On other days, she was seen yelling at B, who was crying while coughing as if vomiting, saying things like, "I told you to clean the room," or "Did I tell you not to cause trouble or not?"

A was indicted for causing the death of her second daughter, B, by failing to provide proper food at her home in Namdong-gu, Incheon, on March 4, and for physically abusing her first daughter on two occasions.

An autopsy revealed that B died from malnutrition and dehydration.

At the time of her death, 19-month-old B weighed 4.7 kg, which is less than half of the 10.4 kg average weight for a girl of the same age.

The prosecution's investigation revealed that A usually regretted giving birth to B and considered raising her a nuisance.

Since January, she had left the child in a room without providing proper milk or baby food, and in one instance, she did not feed the child for up to 67 hours.

Additionally, it was found that during the five days from February 28, just before B died, A left the child home alone for 92 out of a total of 120 hours while she visited places like an amusement park and a sauna.

As a recipient of basic livelihood security and a single-parent household, A received over 3 million won per month in public support, including livelihood benefits and child allowances, and also obtained food supplies monthly from a food bank for vulnerable groups.

However, she used part of these funds to purchase monthly musical memberships or make donations, while neglecting her children and leaving the carcasses of two dogs, animal excrement, and cigarette butts in her home. (Photo: Yonhap News)