'Cheonan Church Death': 11-Year-Old Boy Received No Protective Action Despite Four Abuse Reports

In Three Out of Four Reports,
Grandmother Identified as the Abuser


Pastor Arrested Following Testimony:
"He Was Tied to a Bed"

An 11-year-old boy who was transferred from a church in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province to a hospital but ultimately died had reported abuse to the police three days before his death, but received no protective action.

A view of the Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency. A stock photo unrelated to the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to Yonhap News on August 10, there had been one report of suspected child abuse involving the boy 'A' in 2021 and another in 2024, with two additional reports made earlier this month, just before his death.

Previously, educational authorities reported suspected neglect by A’s guardian in 2021, noting that the boy, who had reached school age, did not appear to be receiving appropriate care. However, the guardian repeatedly applied for and was granted deferment of A's compulsory schooling, and the case was closed. The remaining three reports, including one in 2024 and two earlier this month, were all filed by his maternal grandmother, referred to as 'B,' on suspicion of child abuse.

In 2024, the police investigated B following a report that she was abusing her grandson. As a result, B was indicted and found guilty.

However, from birth, A lived separately at the church while B resided nearby and occasionally visited. A did not attend school and was homeschooled. Given that they were grandparent and grandchild but lived apart, it appears unlikely that additional measures such as restraining orders were implemented against B.

Earlier this month, just before A's death, two reports were filed by citizens who suspected abuse. It was found that, at that time, A had left the church, spoken with a local resident, or visited a restaurant to seek help. On August 2, a restaurant employee accompanied A to the police station, where A reportedly stated, "My grandmother hit me."

After receiving these two reports, the police, together with Cheonan City officials, conducted an on-site investigation at the church and considered options for keeping A at the church while separating him from B. Transferring A to a protective facility was also considered, but they decided it was difficult to place him there immediately due to A’s unique behavioral and psychological traits and compatibility with the facility’s environment.

Police decided to issue an emergency protection order against B, who was identified as the alleged abuser, and notified her. They also applied to the court for a temporary restraining order, but the court dismissed the application, stating that it "was not warranted."

However, only three days after A visited the police station, at around 8:49 p.m. on August 5, an emergency call from the church reported that "A is sick." A was taken to Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital by rescue authorities, but died approximately three hours after the emergency call.

The police found injuries on A’s body and received witness testimony that "A was tied to a bed" at the church. The police have arrested the church pastor and plan to request an arrest warrant for B as well.

A police official stated, "It seems that A regarded the pastor rather than B as his primary guardian, having been essentially raised in the church," adding, "It is heartbreaking that he died during an ongoing investigation." He went on to say, "We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether abuse occurred by the pastor, church personnel, and B, and to uncover all relevant details."

Separately from the police investigation, calls for more active involvement from the judiciary and administrative authorities in dealing with child abuse cases are expected to intensify. On the same day, Cheonan Mayor Jang Kisoo also ordered at a leadership meeting, "Accurately assess the situation, thoroughly check any deficiencies, and establish measures to prevent further incidents."

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