It has been revealed that the biological mother of an 11-year-old child who died while living at a church in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, had collected a significant portion of government allowances despite not directly raising him.

According to data submitted by Cheonan City and other authorities to Representative Kim Ye-ji of the People Power Party on the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on August 26, a total of 22.95 million won in child-rearing allowances was paid out under the name of the victim, 11-year-old A, from 2014 to 2022.

Among these, the amount received by his biological mother, B, totaled 11.23 million won—accounting for roughly half of the total allowances—which included 3.75 million won in child-rearing allowances and 7.48 million won in child support funds.

It was reported that B had not directly raised child A during this period.

Child A, who had an intellectual disability, reportedly lived continuously at the church or resided with his maternal grandmother since right after birth.

Meanwhile, the remaining allowances and child support funds paid under child A's name amounted to 11.32 million won.

There is currently no evidentiary documentation regarding who actually used these funds or whether the money was actually spent for child A.

In addition, a total of 400,000 won in child allowances was paid from January to April 2022 to the maternal grandmother (in her 50s), who is accused of abusing child A to death.

Child A showed symptoms of heat exhaustion at the church on the 5th and was transferred to a hospital, but ultimately passed away.

Signs of having been bound were found on his hands and feet.

Police have transferred the pastor (in his 60s) and the maternal grandmother to the prosecution under detention on charges of child abuse resulting in death, while continuing to investigate the exact circumstances of the death and any additional crimes.

Prior to this, controversy arose in Daejeon after it was confirmed that a couple who neglected their seven-month-old infant to death collected a total of 12.17 million won in welfare benefits and child-rearing support funds from last December through July.

As cases continue where parents keep receiving parental allowances and child subsidies without properly caring for their children, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has previously introduced countermeasures such as strengthening parental education.