A Shocking Tragedy: Parents' Christian Faith Led to Child's Death

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Schnick Case: A Shocking Discovery
   1. Dr. Kim's Tip-Off
   2. Sheena's Condition and Neglect
   3. Unsuccessful Attempts to Persuade the Parents
   4. Urgent Efforts to Help Sheena
3. The Clash of Religious Convictions and the Right to Life
   1. The Limitations of Parental Rights
   2. Sheena's Treatment and Surgery Consent
4. Sheena's Road to Recovery and Tragic End
   1. Successful Surgery and Hopes for a Normal Life
   2. Neglect and Abandonment
   3. The Tragic Passing of Sheena
5. Lessons Learned and Ongoing Challenges
   1. Retributive Justice and the Innocent Victims
   2. The Need for Stronger Child Welfare Laws
   3. A Call for Depriving Unqualified Parents of Authority

The Schnick Case: A Shocking Discovery

Introduction

Child abuse is a serious issue that societies worldwide have gradually started to address more rigorously in recent decades. In the case of Sheena, who tragically passed away at the age of 12 in 2002, South Korean society was shocked and distressed by the extreme neglect and abandonment she experienced at the hands of her own parents. This case, known as the Schnick case, not only revealed the heartbreaking story of a young girl's life but also highlighted the clash between religious convictions and the right to life. In this article, we will delve deeper into the Schnick case, examining the circumstances, the efforts made to save Sheena, and the lessons learned from this tragic situation.

The Schnick Case: A Shocking Discovery

Dr. Kim's Tip-Off

The story of Sheena, also known as SHINee, came to light on August 21st, 1999, through a show called "Unanswered Questions." It all began with a tip-off from Dr. Kim Anju, who was then the head of the Korean Foundation of Rare Disease at a hospital. Dr. Kim had been treating Sheena since she was four years old and became increasingly concerned about her parents' negligence due to religious reasons. Sheena's mother refused to take her daughter to the hospital, despite her deteriorating health. Disturbed by the situation, Dr. Kim sought help from the media, hoping to bring attention to the urgency of the case.

Sheena's Condition and Neglect

When the production team of "Unanswered Questions" met Sheena, they were overcome with shock and disbelief. At nine years old, she appeared severely malnourished, weighing only 20 kilograms. Her abdomen was extended, resembling that of a pregnant woman, due to a five-kilogram cancerous tumor inside her. Sheena had been complaining about her excruciating pain, but her parents callously dismissed her pleas, telling her to endure and rely on God's healing power. The neglect and suffering Sheena endured highlighted the sheer disregard her parents had for her well-being.

Unsuccessful Attempts to Persuade the Parents

The production team, suspecting that Sheena's parents might have belonged to a religious sect like Jehovah's Witnesses, reached out to the church they attended. Surprisingly, even members of the church had tried to persuade Sheena's parents to seek medical treatment, emphasizing the importance of their daughter's well-being. Unfortunately, Sheena's parents adhered to their own set of religious beliefs, shunning any intervention from external sources. This posed a significant challenge, as parental authority in South Korea was absolute, making it difficult for anyone, including the government, to intervene.

Urgent Efforts to Help Sheena

In response to the overwhelming public support and growing donations, the production team embarked on a mission to save Sheena. They visited district offices, city halls, and government ministries, seeking legal means to provide the necessary medical attention for her. It was a race against time, as Sheena's health continued to deteriorate rapidly. Eventually, the persistence of various individuals and organizations paid off, and Sheena's parents agreed to let her go to the hospital. However, their decision wavered back and forth, and it was only through the intervention of a pastor that Sheena was finally transported to the hospital.

Stay tuned for the next section, where we will explore the clash between religious convictions and the right to life in Sheena's case.