The horrific death of a 16-month-old allegedly abused by her adoptive parents has triggered an outpouring of grief nationwide and anger over many missed chances to save her. The 16-month old baby who passed away in October of 2020 was most probably due to abuse. In the autopsy, it was revealed that Jung In’s cause of death is “damages to the abdomen by an external force.” She has suffered severe pancreas damage, broken limbs and collarbones, and blood-filled stomach.
The adoptive parents were said to have “denied the allegations and insisted they have ‘nothing to do with the death of Jung In.'” They insisted that they dropped the baby by accident. However, the police found evidence of over 800 videos of Jang “physically and mentally abusing Jung In.”
The National Forensic Service concluded that she died of severe abdominal injuries and internal bleeding that were caused by “strong external force applied on her back.” Signs of prolonged abuse, such as fractured bones and bruises, were also found on her once-healthy body.
Last month, prosecutors charged the adoptive mother, surnamed Jang, with child abuse resulting in death, emotional abuse and neglect. She has been in pretrial detention. The adoptive father was charged with child abuse and neglect.
ng-in’s case has gained renewed national attention after SBS, a local broadcaster, aired an investigative report over the weekend to reveal the utter brutality of the abuse done to the toddler, and how child welfare agencies and police have squandered golden chances that could have saved her life.
The first red light was flagged in May by teachers at the day care center where she was attending, merely three months after she was adopted. Police closed the case, citing not enough evidence.
A month later, the second report came in from an acquaintance of the girl’s adoptive parents, who found the toddler left alone in a car. The police came to the same conclusion.
The third — and the last — one was reported on Sept. 23 by a local pediatrician who found suspected signs of abuse and malnutrition of the girl. Once again, the police failed to step in to save her.
During the eight months from the adoption till her death, the suspected abuse took a devastating toll on her. The SBS program aired photos and videos shared by Jung-in’s foster mother, who temporarily cared for the baby before she was adopted. In that footage, she was curious, giggly and full of life. In stark contrast, however, Jung-in became subdued, lifeless and gaunt in her adoptive parents’ care.
Korean investigations show, unanswered questions, went to investigate on the cause of the baby death, ruptured pancreas. Its theorised that a force of 3800 to 4200N is needed to receive a level 3 damage to the abdomen, which caused the baby’s death.
So they tried simulations with a baby mannequin and a female staff who’s weight and height is similar to the adoptive mother.
But first, they tested through a few scenarios
Dropping from height causes a force of 720 to 1433N
Kicking the baby in the abdomen by a taekwondo player reached 2,713N.
A boxer reached 4,387N by throwing full forced, heavy blow, propping the mannequin baby to the wall.
Finally the female staff tested with the baby mannequin…
Stepping the baby mannequin that lying on the floor causes 1,778N…
Standing on the baby mannequin causes 1,9727N
When she tried to jump on the baby mannequin by leaping off the couch, she created a 3,869N damage.
Events leading to hear death
On 13 Oct, the fateful day that she passed away, at 9:40am, the neighbor downstairs went upstairs to complain about the constant dropping of heavy item noise… The mother apologize to the neighbor …
9:54am, the mother sent a text message to her husband, should we bring (her) to hospital, for formality?
10:19am, the mother left the abused toddler alone at home while she sent her own child to childcare.
Reached home at 10:32am and took a cab at 10:42am to hospital. On the cab, the taxi driver told her that it’s better to sent the child via ambulance. The child can be treated when she’s transported to hospital but the mother rejected.
Reached hospital at 11:06 and the child was in an emergency state. She left the child to retrieve her hat that she left in the cab. While the child was receiving treatment, she was online, doing group buy on food and posted text on her SNS with heart shape.
After the child passed away, they bought a 3000 won photo frame(~ SGD$3.64) and buried her in a free public grave and has yet to visit her….