Son Sentenced to Two Years for Assaulting Elderly Mother with Dementia

A 51-year-old man has been sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting his 82-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia, resulting in a broken rib. The Incheon District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Chang-kyung, found the defendant guilty of special injury to a family member and violating the Elderly Welfare Act. In addition to the prison sentence, the court mandated that the man complete 40 hours of a domestic violence treatment program and prohibited him from working in any elderly care facilities for five years.

The incident occurred on July 30, 2024, at their home in Namdong-gu, Incheon. The son became enraged when his mother mentioned his deceased father, who passed away three years prior, and struck her on the head with a glass. He then covered her face with a blanket, restricting her breathing, and proceeded to hit her multiple times on her face and abdomen. As a result of the assault, the mother sustained serious injuries, including a broken rib, and was diagnosed with a six-week recovery period.

In a separate incident in November 2024, the son, while intoxicated, attempted to take his own life and choked his mother when she tried to intervene, also wielding a weapon during the altercation. The mother suffered a wrist injury from this incident, requiring over 20 days of hospital treatment.

The judge remarked on the severity of the crime, emphasizing that the defendant targeted a vulnerable individual who could not defend herself due to her dementia. The court acknowledged the difficult circumstances the son faced, including financial struggles and the burden of caring for his mother alone after his father's death. However, the judge noted the need for accountability, especially given the nature of the crime against his own mother. The court also considered the defendant's remorse and the fact that the victim did not wish for her son to be punished, as well as requests for leniency from his siblings.