Religious parents who killed their infant son by feeding him an alternative, gluten free diet, are now on trial in Belgium.
The parents, described as overly religious by local media, ran a natural food store in the town of Beveren in Belgium. Prosecutors claim they refused medical advice, and placed their son on a dangerous gluten free diet that included quinoa milk, a diet that ultimately resulted in the death of their infant son.
According to reports, the parents diagnosed their infant son Lucas as gluten intolerant as well as lactose intolerant. Yet that diagnosis was never confirmed by a medical professional.
At the time of his death Lucas was only seven months old and weighed less than 10 lbs, which is half of what a healthy child his age should weigh. An autopsy showed that when he died Lucas was severely dehydrated and his stomach was completely empty.
While the parents refused to seek appropriate medical attention for their dying son, a prayer card was found in the childs diaper at the time of his death.
About the case, the public prosecutor said:
The parents determined their own diagnosis that their child was gluten intolerant and had a lactose allergy.
Not a single doctor had a dossier about Lucas and child protection services did not know about them.
In addition, prosecutors allege that despite the baby gasping for air in the days leading to his death, the parents never thought to seek medical attention.
At one point, as their sons health continued to deteriorate, the parents did consult with a homoeopathic doctor on the other side of the country. Thats right, instead of taking their sick and dying son to a local hospital, the parents sought out a homoeopathic doctor.
(For the record, homeopathic medicine does not work, and is a scam meant to hustle the gullible and the ignorant.)
Commenting on the case, lawyers for the parents tried to justify the actions of their clients, noting:
Lucas had an eating disorder. He got cramps when he was fed with a bottle and his parents tried out alternatives.
Oat milk, rice milk, buckwheat milk, semolina milk, quinoa milk. All products which they also sell in their store.
Nevertheless, the prosecutor holds the parents responsible for the death of their son, arguing that the parents dangerous and unorthodox diet equals intentionally denying food to the infant child.
The parents now face jail sentences, with Belgian prosecutors alleging they contributed to the death of the boy from dehydration and undernourishment
The trial begins this week, with Belgian prosecutors seeking an 18-month jail sentence for both the mother and father.
Religious Parents Kill Infant Son With Gluten Free Diet (Image via Max Pixel)
Read more:
Religious Parents Kill Infant Son With Gluten Free Diet - Patheos (blog)
