A caregiver, who repeatedly inserted sanitary pads into the anus of a patient suffering from a brain lesion disorder at a nursing hospital, has been arrested and indicted.

The Incheon District Prosecutor's Office said Thursday that it had arrested and indicted the 68-year-old female caregiver for violating the Disability Welfare Act.

The prosecution also indicted the director of the nursing hospital on the same charges for neglecting to manage and supervise the facility.

According to the prosecutors, the caregiver is accused of inserting a total of four sanitary pads into the anus of the patient from late April to early May at a nursing hospital in Incheon's Namdong-gu district.

She allegedly cut the pads into squares measuring about 25 centimeters across and down.

According to local news reports, the caregiver inserted the sanitary pads into the patient's anus as a means to facilitate easier disposal of stool while frequently changing the patient's diaper.

Consequently, the patient's condition worsened, leading to his transfer to a university hospital. During the course of his treatment, the patient's family members discovered a piece of the sanitary pad inside his body, prompting them to file a lawsuit against the caregiver.

After investigation, the prosecution determined that the patient suffered from anal fissures and impaired bowel function as a direct consequence of the caregiver's actions. Consequently, the caregiver was charged with violating the Disability Welfare Act for causing injury, rather than assault.

According to the law, the punishment for assaulting a disabled person can be up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won ($39,032). However, if an injury is proven, the penalty is escalated to a maximum of seven years in prison or a fine of up to 70 million won.