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crime

Trial begins for couple who abandoned 3 newborn babies over 9-year period

26 Comments

A couple in Tokyo’s Ota Ward, who were arrested last November, on suspicion of abandoning their three babies soon after their births in 2002, 2010 and 2011, went on trial Wednesday.

The Tokyo District Court heard that Hideaki Tonuma, 32, who is unemployed, and his wife Chiemi, 31, a former bar hostess, abandoned the three newborn babies, Fuji TV reported. The bizarre case came to light after the couple were arrested for abandoning a baby girl who was found alive in a public park in Ota in March 2011.

During police questioning, the couple also confessed to having disposed of the body of a son, born 12 years ago, who was reported missing shortly after his birth. The Tonumas claim the boy died and that they later disposed of his body in Saitama Prefecture.

The court heard that the pair also abandoned another baby girl in 2010. The girl was found but the son’s body was never found. Police said that DNA tests on the two baby girls led them to the parents who remained elusive until their arrest.

The Tonumas also have a 9-year-old son who was placed in a child welfare center in 2004 after being abused by his parents.

In Wednesday's opening session, the Tonumas both entered a plea of guilty, Fuji reported.

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26 Comments
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What a disgusting pair of trash. These two need to have their tubes tied and sent away for a very long time.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Serial killers!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Horrible, horrible parents/people. So sad to hear of stories like this when helpless/defenseless children are left alone to die. Thank god their 9-year old son is in better hands now.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

they deserve the death penalty or to be chemically castrated at the least.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Gas them both

3 ( +6 / -3 )

cl400: Their son is definitely in better hands but if I'm not mistaken, he'll also stay in a child welfare center until he is 18 unless his parents see fit to relinquish their custodial rights to him. I'll happily stand corrected on that if I'm wrong but my understanding is that there are actually plenty of kids in welfare centers/orphanages in Japan who aren't eligible for adoption because their parents, who may well have abandoned them years ago, won't allow it.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

How could they keep making the same horrible mistake over and over again? If you are not ready to become a parent, then use protection!! Japanese sex education definitely needs to be improved. They are way too innocent and shy when it comes to talking about sex.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Their irresponsibility started after abandoning the first child. They are vile.

Japanese sex education definitely needs to be improved.

Disagree. I sat my son down a year ago to give him "the talk" about the birds and the bees. He laughed at me, as did his mother - his school had already taught them plenty about 6 months prior! They are definitely not shy about it, but thankfully it has its place in societal behaviour and mannerisms.

The concept of adoption in Japan is still practically unknown. One couple I used to know wanted a child more than anything, but the wife could not conceive due to complications. I suggested adoption and they literally balked at the idea of raising "someone else's child with different blood". I kid you not.

As for this despicable couple - the death penalty will not bring back the babies. But a long time to rot in a prison cell, will certainly give them plenty of time to reflect on their evil selfishness.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Give them a life sentence for each abandoned child, please.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Disillusioned Actually, to be a serial killer you have to KILL at least three people at at least three different times. Though even if all of the babies died you might not even really consider them two of your typical serial killers, because they didn't seem to set out to downright murder them like Bundy...Instead they would have died of neglect which would probably be manslaughter.

But still serial offenses, and still scum of the earth! D:

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@ccameo

Very simply because they don't care, i'll bet they show big remorse in court, not for the babies, but because they got caught.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Really? Three times?! How selfish and deluded do you have to be? I wouldn't even know what to say to people like this, as they are obviously already lost in their own world of morality and justification. God might have mercy on their souls, but I sure hope the justice system doesn't.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Dennis is correct, in family murders are punished so lightly in Japan, they'll cry, bow, head on the ground, say they are sorry, tell them stress did it, it was such a burden, they'll get no more than 3 years max...

Japan needs fix this.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Disgusting filth, these POS parents should be chemically castrated and sent to work hard labour for the rest of their lives, served basically the least amount of food that would keep them alive.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

RIP to the innocent babies. I hope their parents will receive death sentences.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

ccameo: They are way too innocent and shy when it comes to talking about sex.

I think it's pretty safe to say that a couple who managed to have four children and kill three of them is neither innocent nor shy. As for the notion of Japanese as a whole being shy, give me a bloody break! Being reserved is hardly the same as being shy. Innocent? Of what? If I had 5 yen for every time I heard those cultural myths I could rent out the Imperial Palace for a private party. What are you going to come out with next? The four seasons in Japan are unique?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Why does everyone immediately blame Japan?

Aren't stupid people like this in every country? 1 case doesn't mean everyone in Japan does this. Seriously people, stop immediately thinking that everyone in Japan does and thinks like this. Stupid people are everywhere.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Stupid people are everywhere.

Although what you say is true, and this particular type of crime actually does happen in other developed nations, I know of no other OECD country that continually trumpets its low crime rate and an "it could never happen here" mentality as much as the people of Japan, or at least the Japanese people that I deal with on a daily basis. Get real Japan, things like this do happen here! And I'm more than happy to remind you!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

bookowl

He laughed at me, as did his mother - his school had already taught them plenty about 6 months prior!

At what age was your son given sex education? I'd like to know so that I can time (or abort) my own attempt.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I SAY MAKE BOTH OF THEM STERILE!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This should be a very short trial. And yeah, maybe sterilization is part of a proper punishment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We took our Cat to the Vet to be fixed. Could somebody take these 2?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This should be a very short trial. And yeah, maybe sterilization is part of a proper punishment.

They both pleaded "guilty". There should be NO trial, only sentencing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Bookowls I sat my children down and explained to them about the birds and bees and after talking for about an hour the both of them started laughing and said 'Da we were already told about it in school however your explaination was much better than the schools was. Then from the kitchen I heard loud laughter coming from their mother. When it came time to tell my thrid child I asked if she already knew about and she laughed and said it was explained to me last year.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am with gogogo on this!!!!

They don't deserve to live! They are a waste! Gas them or hang them both! No Mercy!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Should be in the Bucket for ever..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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