A Couple in Their 20s Found Guilty for Neglecting Their Three Sons for Three Months Due to Gaming Addiction
A couple in their 20s has been found guilty by a court for neglecting their three young sons for three months.
According to legal sources on the 9th, Chief Judge Jang Chan-soo of the Gwangju District Court sentenced the biological father, Mr. A (28), to 1 year and 6 months in prison for violating the Child Welfare Act (child abandonment and neglect), while the biological mother, Ms. B (23), received a suspended sentence of 1 year in prison for 2 years.
Mr. A and Ms. B were prosecuted for failing to properly care for their three-year-old son and two-year-old twin sons from early January to March 24, staying neglectful during that period in an apartment in Naju, Jeollanam-do.
After Mr. A became addicted to gaming and quit his job, Ms. B moved out in early January to stay with her family in the same apartment complex.
Even after Ms. B left the home, Mr. A continued to spend nights gaming while sleeping during the day. Shockingly, he used government-sponsored child allowances to purchase gaming items and cover his own delivery food expenses.
Children Exposed to Severe Nutritional Deficiency and Unhygienic Conditions
During this time, the children were in a severe state of nutritional deficiency, only receiving formula or baby food once a day.
Unable to bear their hunger, the twin sons exhibited abnormal behaviors, such as banging their heads against the wall. Despite the resulting noise complaints from neighbors, Mr. A took no action.
The home environment was also concerning. Garbage had piled up, and the children were forced to live in bedding that smelled of urine.
Ms. B has not checked on the children even once since leaving, and the three kids did not go outside for three months, completely missing out on normal education and care.
Ultimately, the children were rescued by child protection agencies, showing signs of weight loss and developmental delays, and they are now residing in a childcare facility.
The court stated, "Children are a gift from heaven. Other couples despair and feel hopeless after long periods of trying to conceive," adding, "How can you neglect such a gift, especially when you have three? This punishment is based on societal norms established by humans, but there will be a punishment from heaven as well."
Moreover, the court mentioned, "While the defendants show remorse and have no prior offenses, Mr. A's level of neglect is severe and carries a high likelihood of criticism. Ms. B also bears significant blame for abandoning her parental duties due to conflict with her husband."
Image source: Illustrative photo for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank
