The 11-year-old boy who died last month at a church in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, was found to have been subject to severe abuse by his pastor, who reportedly publicly called him "a demon" while keeping him bound to a bed.
A local broadcaster SBS on Saturday aired a detailed report about the case, in which a 62-year-old pastor and the boy's grandmother are being investigated for child abuse leading to death.
The broadcaster reported that the boy was entrusted to the pastor's care from a very young age, following her like his own mother. But witnesses testified that the child had bruises all over his body when he visited a local store, three days before his eventual death.
A restaurant owner testified that the injured boy came alone and asked for a meal. When asked who had hit him, he answered "My mom did," and asked to be taken to police.
The boy had intellectual disabilities, and had lived at the church after his mother ran away from home. It has been alleged that the pastor heavily medicated the boy so that he could be diagnosed as disabled, although that claim has not yet been confirmed.
The authorities found the boy in critical condition on Aug. 5, and he died hours later due to multiple organ failure. They believe his death was caused by beatings, severe malnutrition and being bound to a bed for 38 hours.
A doctor who saw the boy said he had bruises in unusual places, and said he was wearing a diaper.
Church claims binding was 'necessary'
The church told media that they had no choice but to tie the boy to a bed, saying he would otherwise leave and cause trouble.
But several members of the church testified that he was a quiet boy who made no trouble during church services.
One member said the pastor mentioned the boy during a sermon, saying he was a demon for reporting her to the police.
It was found that there were four police reports concerning his abuse prior to the incident, and the boy himself escaped the church twice in the very week he died — seeking help at the aforementioned store and restaurant.
But the police did not find evidence that would require immediate separation from the suspects.
Police eventually asked the court for a separation order on Aug. 4, but it was rejected the next day.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
