crime

Man, woman get 12 years in prison for fatal abuse of her 3-year-old son

19 Comments

The Fukuoka District Court has sentenced a 24-year-old man and his 23-year-old former wife to 12 years in prison after they were found guilty of fatally abusing her three-year-old son from a prior marriage.

The court ruled on Friday that Ryoga Suemasu, an ex-construction worker, beat his stepson Manato about the head several times at around 10:30 p.m. on Aug 15, 2020, at their apartment in Nakama, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fuji TV reported. Manato lost consciousness and early the next morning, his mother Ayumi noticed something was wrong with him. She and Suemasu took him to a hospital where doctors later contacted police about a case of possible child abuse.

Manato later died of an acute subdural hematoma.

Police arrested Suematsu and Ayumi on suspicion of fatal abuse, but both denied the charge.

When he was initially arrested, Suematsu admitted hitting Manato with his fists, telling police he lost his temper because the boy wouldn’t go to sleep when it was his bedtime but denied any intent to kill him.

Police said doctors found other bruises on the boy’s body and believe he may have been abused on several occasions. Ayumi admitted putting sand in his mouth one time.

Suematsu had moved in with Manato and his mother in May 2020.

In handing down the ruling, the presiding judge called the abuse an act of outrageous cruelty.

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19 Comments
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No denying having kids is hardwork but how on earth do you lose it so badly you beat a child to death.

He beat him around the head disgusting simply disgusting.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Hopefully his fellow inmates will repay the favor. I doubt that those who beat children to death last long in prison.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Good job judges. At 36 when he comes out he will understand what fatherhood is all about.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Sickening. 12 years is all a childs life is worth, a boy who was repeatedly tortured by two scum and beaten to death. The pain this little boy endured in his short life is unthinkable.

These animals will be free in society again at 35 and 36, still very young, and free to have more kids. Disgusting.

Rest in Peace to the poor little boy.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

In handing down the ruling, the presiding judge called the abuse an act of outrageous cruelty.

And yet the final sentence was a pathetic 12 years? I don't understand this country and its lackadaisical approach to child abuse. 12 years in prison is not nearly enough punishment for these abusers who thought beating a child repeatedly in the head was okay. No wonder their birthrate is declining rapidly; who'd want to raise a kid in a place that doesn't value children's lives?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

12 years. Well that's an improvement over the usual 7 years max they usually get for killing their own kids. Let's hope the trend keeps going higher like our taxes.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Ridiculous… you want to stop child abuse you must punish those people with much higher charges.

What they did was horrible and unforgivable they should get lifetime or even worse.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

In handing down the ruling, the presiding judge called the abuse an act of outrageous cruelty.

That's putting it mildly. The sentence was more than I expected but still light.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

So, to put things into perspective, these two will get out and walk among us before they're 35. Let that sink in for a moment...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Still able to have kids and do it all over again in 12 years??? They should be neutered! scumbags

4 ( +5 / -1 )

JUST 12 years?

Every member of the the ruling court should get at least 12 per person.

Both of those “people” should get 12 years multiplied by every year that baby was alive.

Savages

1 ( +2 / -1 )

disgusting. they should have gotten life

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Unbelievable cruelty, especially when it's suspected they had abused him before and the mother admitted to it, should warrant more than 12 years apiece. Better than the usual two for child murder, granted, but still not nearly enough for these scum. I hope they get 10-fold in prison what they gave to this poor child, and I hope that is EVERY DAY of those 12 years.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Very well deserved sentence! I hope they serve it in full.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

12 years later the boy would have been 15 years old. I feel they deserve more time.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The judge calls this "an act of outrageous cruelty".

Everyone else thinks it should have been murder.

This pair should never be allowed to see the light of day again.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Wellington

Hopefully his fellow inmates will repay the favor. I doubt that those who beat children to death last long in prison.

Forget your prision visions from the American Hollywood world. This is Japan, and prisons are controlled.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

12 years is not enough!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

12 years??? Should be the death penalty.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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