Biological Father Charged with Fraud in 'Newborn Motel Death' Case... Took Money from Mother by Falsely Offering Doctor

Tragedy Caused by Missed Abortion Window

Police Recently Refer Father to Prosecution with Recommendation for Indictment

It was belatedly revealed that the biological father, who defrauded the mother and delayed her abortion until it was no longer possible, resulting in the death of a newborn at a motel in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, was referred to the prosecution on fraud charges.

According to Yonhap News Agency and police and court sources on July 5, the child's biological mother, identified as Ms. A, broke up with a man, Mr. B, around January 2025. After the breakup, Ms. A learned she was pregnant with Mr. B's child, and the two agreed that she would undergo an abortion. However, due to various reasons—such as being unable to secure the funds for the procedure or Mr. B not appearing to accompany her as a guardian on the scheduled surgery date—time passed, and Ms. A eventually exceeded the 24-week limit for a legal abortion.

Subsequently, Mr. B introduced Ms. A to a doctor whom he claimed to have arranged through illegal means. Ms. A communicated with this unidentified doctor via Telegram and even sent money as a fee, but was never able to meet the doctor in person. In December of that same year, as she began experiencing labor pains, Ms. A messaged the doctor on Telegram, saying that delivery was imminent. The doctor responded that while he operated a hospital in Myeong-dong, Seoul, he could not provide the address but would come to pick her up.

Suspecting that Mr. B was pretending to be a doctor and simply taking her money, Ms. A headed to a motel in Uijeongbu. Regarding the situation at the time, Ms. A's attorney explained, "She could not be sure about the doctor's identity, and in case the doctor and Mr. B really came to pick her up, she did not want Mr. B to know her home address, so she gave the address of the motel and agreed to meet in front of the motel." However, neither the doctor nor Mr. B showed up at the scene, and the newborn was left unattended in the bathroom sink of the motel room, which was filled with water, for about 12 minutes before passing away.

After realizing she had been deceived, Ms. A filed a criminal complaint against Mr. B for fraud. The case was initially registered with the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency, but in March of this year, it was transferred to the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency due to jurisdictional issues. Mr. B was found to have defrauded Ms. A, who was pregnant, by falsely claiming to arrange an abortion doctor and taking money from her, and was recently referred to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment.

Meanwhile, Ms. A, who was indicted and detained on charges of child abuse resulting in death, was sentenced to six years in prison last month. The court ruled that Ms. A had at least indirect intent to kill, as she could have anticipated the newborn's death immediately after birth but failed to seek help from those around her or report to emergency or medical services. The court also pointed out that even if she had met the doctor introduced by Mr. B at the motel, she intended to have the doctor kill or abandon the baby after delivery via cesarean section or induced labor. The lack of any preparation for the baby's care after birth—such as purchasing diapers, undershirts, or other necessary items—was also cited as evidence.

However, the court took into consideration that Ms. A gave birth suddenly without any support from those around her and was not in a rational state of mind at the time of the crime. As a result, although she was indicted for child abuse homicide, a crime for which the death penalty or life imprisonment is possible, she was sentenced to six years in prison. Both the prosecution and the defendant have filed appeals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.