Postpartum Care Center Nurse Aide Sentenced to Real Imprisonment for Infants’ Abuse
A nurse aide who abused newborns at a postpartum care center in Cheongju has been sentenced to real imprisonment by the court.
On the 22nd, Chief Judge Shin Yoon-joo of the Cheongju District Court's Criminal Division 2 announced that A (44, female) was sentenced to 1 year and 2 months in prison for violating the Child Welfare Act (child abuse).
The court also ordered A to complete a 40-hour child abuse treatment program and placed a three-year employment restriction in child-related institutions.
A, the nurse aide, was put on trial for physically abusing a four-day-old baby in the newborn room of the postpartum care center in Cheongju on July 7 of last year, by hitting the baby’s face twice and violently throwing the baby down.
The investigation revealed that A had committed acts of abuse 45 times, including lifting the baby solely by its neck or face and putting a handkerchief in the baby's mouth. The motivation for these acts was reportedly simply because the baby was crying.
Court's Judgement and Appeals from Both Parties
In the judgement, Chief Judge Shin pointed out, "The nurse aide, who should protect newborns, pinched or threw babies several times, and the nature of the crime is very poor," adding, "The defendant has not received forgiveness from the parents of the victims."
This can be seen as a ruling that emphasizes the importance of newborn safety management in postpartum care centers and the responsibilities of healthcare workers.
However, the court stated, "Considering that the defendant admitted to all the crimes and showed remorse, raising children alone after a divorce and struggling to make a living, and that the crime appeared to have been committed while suffering from anxiety disorder, the sentence was decided," indicating that these mitigating factors seemed to influence the final penalty decision.
However, both A and the prosecution have appealed against this verdict.
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