Church Child Found Dead; Pastor Arrested on Child Abuse Death Charges

An 11-year-old boy died at the hospital from high fever and exhaustion, and police have arrested the 60-year-old female pastor of the church where the child lived on charges of child abuse resulting in death. The child, who showed symptoms of high fever and decreased consciousness at a church in Seonggeo-eup, Cheonan on the night of August 5, was taken to the hospital but ultimately passed away. The child's body temperature was confirmed to have exceeded 41 degrees Celsius at the time.

The child had lived at the church for 11 years since birth and had been homeschooled instead of attending school. Medical staff discovered bruises and signs of restraint on the child's body and reported suspected child abuse to the police. Bruises, including signs of being held down, were observed on both of the child's ankles. Witnesses stated that the child was tied to a bed for about two days before their death, with the church explaining it was a measure to prevent the child from going outside.

Police have also applied for an arrest warrant for the child's maternal grandmother. The grandmother had visited the child regularly, and the child had told police that they were beaten by their grandmother during two reports filed earlier this month.

Police had received four reports of suspected child abuse prior to the child's death but failed to take measures to separate the victimized child. Police have confirmed receiving reports of suspected abuse related to the child in 2021 and 2024 and are investigating the appropriateness of their initial response. A detailed investigation into the cause of death is currently underway, based on autopsy results and witness testimonies.