A mother in her 30s, who was put on trial for hitting the back of a toddler who had pushed and knocked over her own young daughter at a shelter for single mothers, has been acquitted in the first trial.

According to the legal community today (August 18), Judge Ji Chang-gu of Criminal Division 2 at the Suwon District Court has acquitted a defendant identified as A, who was indicted on charges of violating the Child Welfare Act (child abuse).

A was put on trial on charges of physical abuse after she approached a 2-year-old boy, identified as B, who pushed and knocked over her 1-year-old daughter, C, in the playroom of a single-mother protection facility, and struck B on the back once with her left hand.

During the trial, A argued that she had no intent to abuse, and the court also concluded that A's action did not reach the level of physical abuse prohibited under the Child Welfare Act.

Judge Ji explained, "Boy B was larger in physical build and stronger compared to girl C, and at the time, on top of the slide, he grabbed C by both hands and pushed her hard, causing her to fall heavily," adding, "A approached upon seeing this and struck him on the back once."

The judge further noted, "The area A struck was the back, and the number of times was only once. Even looking at the CCTV footage, the degree of the strike does not appear strong."

Regarding the red mark found on B's back immediately after the incident, the court stated, "It is questionable whether the mark was caused by the force of A's strike, and even if it were, it is highly likely that it occurred because the victimized child's skin is very sensitive." The court added, "It is difficult to conclude solely with the submitted evidence that this constituted an abuse act that posed a risk of impairing the child's physical health or development," explaining the reason for the acquittal.

(Photo: Yonhap News)