Stepfather who abused and killed his stepson sentenced to 22 years in prison

A stepfather in his 40s, who brutally assaulted his teenage stepson leading to the boy’s death, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term in a first trial.

On the 14th, the Jeonju District Court, Gunsan Branch, Criminal Division 1 (Judge Baek Sang-bin) sentenced Mr. A (40) to 22 years in prison for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse leading to death). The court also ordered him to complete 80 hours of a child abuse treatment program and prohibited him from working in child, adolescent, or disability-related institutions for ten years.

Mr. A was indicted for severely beating his stepson, Mr. B (teenager), multiple times, including striking his head and kicking his abdomen, which led to the boy's death on January 31 at their home in Iksan.

Investigation revealed that Mr. A assaulted Mr. B because he believed the boy was not listening to him, as he often engaged in delinquent behavior.

Attempt to conceal child abuse and the court's judgment

On the day of the incident, around 7:25 PM on January 31, Mr. A was urgently arrested by the police after receiving a report from hospital personnel.

In a previous closing hearing, prosecutors had sought a 30-year prison sentence for Mr. A.

The court noted, “The defendant generally acknowledges the facts of the crime, and it seems he did not premeditate the murder of the victim,” but also pointed out, “Given the bruises found on the victim's body, it can be inferred that the defendant engaged in a continuous high level of physical and emotional abuse in addition to the charged acts of abuse.”

In particular, the court stated, “The defendant attempted to justify the abusive behavior as discipline, repeatedly committing acts without any sense of guilt while trying to conceal them,” adding, “Considering that the victim suffered extreme pain and lost his life at the tender age of 14, along with the nature, duration, and consequences of the abuse, severe punishment is inevitable.”

Meanwhile, prosecutors are also investigating the biological mother, Ms. C (in her 30s), for neglecting her son, Mr. B, despite being aware of the abuse by Mr. A.

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