천안 교회서 숨진 어린이 “외할머니가 때려요” 진술에도…법원, 접근금지 기각

In the town of Chungnam's Chungju, an 11-year-old boy was discovered unconscious due to a lowered consciousness at a church. This church pastor was arrested on suspicion of child abuse. Over the course of four reports, the church pastor faced suspicion of child abuse, but no proper handling was conducted. Reports of abuse by the grandmother surfaced at least three times, but the child's right to approach was denied, and the only option to transport the child to a different care facility was deemed only at the level of consideration.

According to Chungnam's public prosecutor's office, police apprehended the 60-year-old church pastor for suspicion of child abuse. The child, who fell ill on the evening of the 5th, was taken to Sejong-Chungnam University Hospital by an ambulance but tragically passed away. The ambulance noted rope-like marks on the child's wrists and ankles.

The hospital found evidence of abuse on the child's body and reported it to the police. Police are also investigating the grandmother, the church, and three other adults who lived with the child. The child lived with the grandmother and was homeschooled at the church since several years ago. The grandmother would visit the church frequently, even when the child was away.

Four reports of child abuse suspicion were filed during the child's time at the church: two in 2021 (related to school matters) and two in 2024 and August 2026 (all related to abuse by the grandmother). The child reported to police, "my grandmother hits me." Police returned the child to the church. Subsequently, police requested a restraining order to prevent the grandmother from contacting the child, but the court deemed the necessity unproven and dismissed the request on the 5th.

That same day, the child passed away. Both the police and local government considered transferring the child to a different care facility, but the plan was not executed. Given the child's psychological condition and characteristics, immediate transfer was deemed difficult. Chungnam's child welfare agency is investigating the pastor, church officials, and caregivers regarding the specific circumstances of the case and the severity of the crime.

A preliminary hearing for the grandmother will take place at Daegu District Court's Chungju branch on November 11th.