A toddler starved to death after his vegan parents fed him almost nothing but raw fruit and vegetables.
Ryan O’Leary, 30, and Sheila O’Leary, 35, were arrested last week in Cape Coral, Florida after their 18-month-old son died on September 27 weighing only 17 pounds, which is the weight of an average seven-month-old.
An autopsy found that the toddler died after suffering complications related to malnutrition, including dehydration, microsteatosis of liver and swelling of hands, feet and legs, Cape Coral police said in a statement.
Sheila O’Leary called 911 after she found the boy cold and not breathing. Ryan O’Leary tried to resuscitate the child, but he was unsuccessful. Paramedics arrived and pronounced the boy dead.
Police later spoke with the couple and noted that two of their children, aged 3 and 5, were pale and yellowish in color, the News-Press reported.
Authorities weighed the children and found they were in the very bottom weight range for their age. One of the children also had blackened teeth, indicating decay.
Police said the O’Leary’s had a third female child with them who appeared the healthiest. They later found that child was Sheila O’Leary’s daughter with a different father who lives in Virginia.
That child reportedly visits her father for a few weeks every two months. Police said they believe that contributed her healthier appearance.
Sheila O’Leary told police that her family is vegan and only eats raw fruits and vegetables. She said that she also breast fed her toddler, adding that the toddler had not eaten solid food in a week and had only been breast fed.
On the day the boy died, Sheila said she nursed her son for about a minute before he started exhibiting shallow breathing. She said she should have called someone – but instead fell asleep with her husband.
The boy’s cause of death was determined on November 6. Shortly after, the O’Leary’s turned themselves in.
They charged with aggravated negligent manslaughter among other charges and are being held in jail until their arraignment on December 9.
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