Original Source
20-Month-Old Infant Dies of Malnutrition in Incheon; Mother Investigated for Child Abuse Homicide
20-Month-Old Infant Dies in Incheon, Mother Suspected of Child Abuse Homicide
A 20-month-old girl was found dead in Incheon, causing shockwaves. The child was scheduled to attend daycare for the first time on the 3rd but was absent. Her biological mother, Ms. A, cited attendance at her older elementary school sister's entrance ceremony as the reason. However, the child did not attend daycare the following day, the 4th, and when the daycare center could not reach Ms. A, they contacted Ms. A's sister. That same evening, emergency services, dispatched after a report from Ms. A's brother-in-law, discovered the child deceased, emaciated to the point where her ribs were visible. It is suspected that Ms. A, attempting to conceal the neglect of her child, was exposed when a family member, contacted by the daycare center, came to visit.
Controversy Over Flaws in Local Government Welfare System
Ms. A was a basic livelihood recipient and a single parent household, living with her two children while receiving support from the local government. According to Article 10 of the Single-Parent Family Support Act, the family situation and living conditions of beneficiaries must be investigated at least once a year. However, according to Namdong-gu Office data confirmed by YTN, the last home visit investigation for Ms. A's household was in February 2025. Subsequent consultations were conducted via visit and phone in March, May, October 2025, and January 25, 2026. However, records indicate that the final consultation, held a week before the child's death, only covered daycare fee-related matters. A Namdong-gu Office official explained that they considered it an 'ordinary household' because there were no signs or reports of suspected child abuse. Police have arrested Ms. A on child abuse homicide charges, and the National Forensic Service has opined that the cause of death appears to be malnutrition. Experts estimate that the child had not eaten anything for at least ten days.
*Source: YouTube: YTN (2026-03-10)*
