Regarding the case of the 3-year-old boy, identified as A, who died due to abuse by his biological father in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, police confirmed additional circumstances of abuse by the boy's biological mother and maternal grandparents on May 29, and have referred four individuals, including the father, to the prosecution.
According to an SBS investigation, the maternal grandmother, identified as B, and the maternal grandfather, identified as C, were found to have inflicted physical and emotional abuse on the victim while inside a moving vehicle.
Police investigation revealed that on December 14, 2025, when the 3-year-old boy attempted to climb into the front seat of the car, his maternal grandmother, B, struck the back of his head.
The police also determined that the maternal grandfather, C, committed acts of emotional abuse by directing severe verbal insults at the boy.
The police have charged them with child abuse under the Child Welfare Act.
The deceased child's biological father and mother are accused of physically and emotionally abusing, as well as neglecting and abandoning, their three sons—aged 6, 5, and the 3-year-old who died—on 12 occasions between January of last year and March of this year, including hitting them with a back scratcher and forcing them to fight each other.
The biological father is accused of throwing his 3-year-old son onto a stone bed with force at their home in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, on April 9, because the boy had urinated in his diaper, resulting in his death.
The child, who suffered severe head injuries, was rushed to the hospital and underwent brain surgery, but never regained consciousness and passed away five days later.
The victim's biological father has been indicted under detention on charges of child abuse resulting in death and is currently standing trial.
Reported by Lee Se-hyeon | Video by Choi Hye-young | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
D-Report: Grandparents Also Involved in Abuse of 3-Year-Old Who Died in Yangju; "He Was Moving in the Car"
By Lee Se-hyeon | Jun 17, 2026
