A nurse involved in allegations of newborn abuse posted on her social media account. Yonhap News
The police have launched a full-scale investigation into the ‘newborn abuse’ incident that recently emerged at a university hospital in Daegu.
On the 3rd, the Daegu Police Agency announced that the father of the potentially abused newborn, Mr. A, filed a complaint on the previous day (2nd) against two people, including a nurse from the neonatal intensive care unit at Daegu Catholic University Hospital and the hospital director, for violating the Child Welfare Act.
According to the police and other sources, the nurse allegedly placed Mr. A’s newborn, who was hospitalized in the intensive care unit, on her lap or held the child while taking photos. She then reportedly posted these photos on social media along with captions suggesting she wanted to “drop” the baby.
Mr. A’s child was born on March 25 at a location other than Daegu Catholic University Hospital. However, due to severe health conditions, the newborn was transferred to Daegu Catholic University Hospital, a higher-level medical facility. After the family of the newborn detected signs of possible abuse, they filed the complaint following the baby’s discharge on the 2nd.
Currently, Mr. A claims that there are at least five other babies who suffered abuse, in addition to his own child. He also alleges the involvement of three more nurses in the abuse. The police report that Mr. A was informed of these allegations by an anonymous tip.
Mr. A argues that, following the disclosure of the abuse allegations, he received additional tips from various sources, suggesting that what is currently known may be only a small portion of the entire situation.
The Daegu Police Agency’s Juvenile Crime Investigation Division will directly oversee the case, considering the seriousness of the matter, as the victims are under ten years old.
A police representative stated, “We have initiated the investigation and are aware of the possibility of additional abuse. We plan to expand the investigation.”