Couple in Their 30s Who Attempted to Kill Daughter Due to Financial Hardship Receive Suspended Sentence: Reasons for Leniency

Court Grants Suspended Sentence
in Consideration of the Child’s Welfare

A couple in their 30s who attempted to kill their elementary school-aged daughter due to financial hardship and other reasons, but failed in their subsequent suicide attempt, have been given a suspended prison sentence.

According to Yonhap News on July 15, the 12th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court, presided over by Senior Judge Kim Byoungman, sentenced the couple, identified as Mr. A and Ms. B, to three years in prison with a five-year suspension for violating the Act on Special Cases concerning the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes. The court further ordered them to complete 40 hours of lectures on preventing repeat child abuse, undergo probation, and imposed as a special condition that they must faithfully fulfill their responsibilities for child-rearing.

Previously, the couple, Mr. A and his spouse, were arrested and indicted on charges of attempting to murder their elementary school-aged daughter, Ms. C, on two occasions last January, citing financial hardship and depression as reasons. They also tried to commit suicide together but survived along with Ms. C, rendering their attempt unsuccessful. The couple was further charged with neglect for failing to take Ms. C, who exhibited slurred speech and other abnormal symptoms after the attempted killing, to the hospital.

The court criticized the gravity of the crime but granted leniency by imposing a suspended sentence, taking into account factors such as the child’s longing for her parents and the difficulties faced by her elderly grandparents in raising her.

The court stated, “As parents, the defendants abandoned their responsibilities and attempted to take their child’s life. Their actions are of grave moral turpitude and deserve strong condemnation. Although such incidents may sometimes be viewed with sympathy domestically as ‘attempted joint suicide,’ it must be made clear, from a criminal liability perspective, that this is ‘an attempted filicide followed by a suicide attempt by the parents.’”

The court continued, “Criminal punishment of the defendants in this case is a crucial factor for the child’s welfare. The grandparents, who are now caring for the child, have petitioned for leniency on the grounds of the practical limitations caused by their old age, and special consideration has been given to the emotional anxiety the child feels from being separated from her parents.”

The court also emphasized, “You must keep in mind that the child you attempted to kill was a significant factor in the decision to grant you a suspended sentence. You should strive to properly fulfill your duties as parents.”

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