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Why Were an 11-Year-Old Boy's Pleas for Help Ignored Before He Was Found Bound to a Church Bed?

Cho Ji-hyun

Published : Aug 19, 2026 7:59 PM

Video

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■ Broadcast: SBS <News Hunters> Monday–Friday (18:50–19:50)
■ Anchors: Kim Jong-won, Yoon Tae-jin
■ Guests: Lee Kyung-min (Attorney), Choi Kyung-jin (Attorney)
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An 11-year-old boy was found suffering from a high fever of 41.5 degrees Celsius at a church in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on the 5th.
He passed away just three hours after being rushed to the hospital.
Ligature marks and bruises were discovered on both of the boy's wrists and ankles, and police believe he was bound for more than 30 hours.

While the church pastor and the boy's maternal grandmother have been sent to prosecutors under arrest on charges of child abuse resulting in death, numerous questions remain unanswered.
In particular, the boy sought help from outsiders multiple times before his death, but was sent back to the church each time.

We take a detailed look into why the boy's pleas for help while he was alive were ignored, and what on earth the pastor and the grandmother were thinking.

※ Further details can be found in the video.