[Sportschosun Reporter Jang Jong-ho] A father who effectively forgave his girlfriend for beating his 18-month-old son to death is facing fierce criticism.
According to Hong Kong media outlet SCMP, the victim's mother, Ms. Xie, divorced her husband, Mr. Li, in April last year.
After more than 10 years of marriage, the couple had two sons. Their eldest son stayed with Ms. Xie, while the younger son, then 18 months old, was to be raised by Mr. Li.
Then, in November last year, Ms. Xie received a shocking call from her former father-in-law saying that her younger son had died.
She rushed to the hospital and confirmed that her ex-husband had already begun cremation procedures for the boy.
The attending doctor told Ms. Xie that the child had injuries to the back of his head and that his abdomen was "swollen like a balloon," explaining that an autopsy was needed.
Sensing something was wrong, Ms. Xie immediately called the police, and the investigation uncovered a shocking truth.
Investigators found that the child had been kicked in the abdomen three times, including three days before his death and again one day before he died. He suffered fatal injuries, including ruptures to his liver, pancreas and intestines, and later died. The attacker was Mr. Li's girlfriend, Ms. Guo, who had been caring for the child at the time.
Ms. Guo was found to have lived with Mr. Li and cared for the child since August last year.
Over time, she began abusing the boy when he would not listen or eat. She was also found to have pinched and hit his arms, buttocks and face.
Even after the child's death, Mr. Li signed a criminal settlement agreement seeking a reduced punishment for his girlfriend.
He reportedly claimed, "I believed Ms. Guo truly cared for the child, and I do not think she intended to hurt him on purpose."
By contrast, the child's mother, Ms. Xie, strongly opposed the agreement and demanded a full investigation into the truth.
She said, "If I had arrived at the hospital even a little later that day, my child would already have been cremated, and the truth about the case might never have come out." She added, "I can never agree to forgiving the perpetrator."
A local lawyer explained that the settlement signed by Mr. Li, one of the victim's parents, could be considered a mitigating factor under the law. However, because the other parent clearly objects, it is unlikely to have any real effect on reducing the sentence.
After the case became public, criticism of the father poured in across online communities in China.
Netizens reacted with comments such as, "Did the father sign the agreement because he also bears responsibility?" "The father's indifference is more chilling than the abuser's fist," and "Did he choose love over his son?"
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
