Photos of 19-Month-Old Girl Who Died of Neglect Released: Emaciated Body and Sunken Eyes

The heartbreaking condition of a 19-month-old girl who died from malnutrition due to her mother's neglect has been revealed in court for the first time.

During the third trial held on June 23 at the Incheon District Court, presided over by Judge Son Seung-beom of the 14th Criminal Division, the prosecution presented photos of the interior of the home of the 29-year-old mother, identified as A, and her second daughter, B (who was 19 months old at the time of death). A is currently under arrest and charged with child abuse resulting in death under the Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes.

Photos taken throughout A's home showed items scattered in disarray.

The kitchen sink was piled high with unwashed dishes, and a container of baby formula sat alone, with very little of its contents used.

In the photos of the deceased toddler, B, her arms, legs, abdomen, and chest were so devoid of fat that her bones were visible.

Even her eyelids were deeply sunken, suggesting a severe state of malnutrition.

At the time of her death, B weighed only 4.7 kg (10.4 lbs), which is less than half of the 10.4 kg (22.9 lbs) average weight for a girl of the same age.

"B was showing significantly slower physical development than her peers," the prosecutor explained. "An analysis of the amount of formula used from the opened containers shows that the amount actually given to B was insufficient for her age and developmental state, contrary to the defendant's claims."

The prosecutor added, "Analysis of the home security camera shows that B was always in her room, while the defendant spent most of her time in the master bedroom and living room. Unless she was going in to feed the baby, she did not enter the room."

During the investigation, the analysis of the home camera also captured scenes of A abusing her first daughter, an elementary school student, by knocking her to the floor and stepping on her body multiple times.

A, who appeared in court wearing a light green prison uniform, clearly described the situation when the video footage was played but remained silent for most of the proceedings.

A was indicted on charges of causing the death of her 19-month-old daughter, B, by failing to provide proper food at their 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.

The prosecution's investigation found that A had often expressed regret over giving birth to B and considered raising her a burden.

Since January, she had left the child neglected in a room without providing proper milk or baby food, at one point going up to 67 hours without feeding her.

Furthermore, it was discovered that in the five days leading up to B's death, from February 28, A left the toddler home alone for 92 out of 120 hours while she visited places like an amusement park and a Korean sauna (jjimjilbang).

A was a recipient of basic livelihood security benefits and a single-parent household, receiving over 3 million won (approx. $2,150) per month in public support, including living subsidies and child allowances. She also collected food supplies monthly from a "Food Bank" for vulnerable populations.

However, she used some of these funds to purchase monthly musical theater memberships or make donations. She also neglected the children while leaving the carcasses of two dogs, animal waste, and cigarette butts scattered throughout the home.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.