Mother questions police response after four-year-old found dead in Jeju
In short
A four-year-old girl and her father, in his 40s, were found dead in a parked rental car in Seogwipo on October 12. The child's mother said she had repeatedly asked police to check her daughter's safety; police said they had not identified specific signs of danger.
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A four-year-old girl and her father, in his 40s, were found dead in a parked rental car in Pyoseon, Seogwipo, at about 18:08 on October 12, according to reports citing Jeju fire authorities. The child's mother said she had repeatedly asked police to establish her daughter's whereabouts and ensure her safety. Police are investigating the circumstances of the deaths, Asia Economy reported on October 14. [ 3 , 6 , 11 , 13 ]
The family said the father brought the child from Australia to South Korea in October last year amid divorce and custody proceedings, later moving from Seoul to Seogwipo. The mother obtained a March 30 ruling and permission for enforcement, but accounts differ on the court: several earlier reports identify an Australian court, while Seoul Economic Daily and Asia Economy describe a child-return ruling by Seoul Family Court. The mother reported the girl missing in April and asked police to assist in enforcing the decision. [ 4 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 13 ]
The mother said police initially checked the child by video call and did not adequately establish her location or assess possible abuse. She said she later learned of a March 22 suspected child abuse report and two visits by police and city officials that had not been disclosed to her when she reported the child missing. Asia Economy reported that police made a video call after an April 13 request and that the father brought the girl to a police post the next day. [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 13 ]
The mother renewed her safety concerns after learning on October 2 that the father had told the child's daycare they would move to the United States. The child's passport was canceled by an Australian court on October 3, Asia Economy reported. The mother said her requests for safety measures did not receive an adequate response. A police official told the outlet that no specific danger signs had been apparent and that eight face-to-face checks with Seogwipo authorities since November last year had not revealed particular abnormalities. [ 11 , 13 ]
Why it matters
The mother had obtained a court order concerning the child's return and sought help from Korean authorities. The deaths have prompted questions about how police handled her repeated safety requests and previous suspected child abuse reports.
Key facts
- A father in his 40s and his four-year-old daughter were found dead in a rental car at 18:08 on October 12 in Pyoseon, Seogwipo. [ 3 , 6 , 11 , 13 ]
- The mother said she repeatedly requested checks on the child's location and safety. [ 4 , 7 , 8 , 11 ]
- Asia Economy reported that police said eight face-to-face checks had not revealed particular warning signs. [ 13 ]
- Police are investigating the circumstances of the deaths. [ 13 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether police handled the safety requests adequately remains disputed. The mother alleges insufficient action; police say they did not find specific danger signs.
- Reports differ on the court that issued the March 30 child-return or custody ruling. Earlier outlets describe an Australian court, while Seoul Economic Daily and Asia Economy identify Seoul Family Court.