Anti-Vaxx Parents Plead 'Not Guilty' For Son's Death, Meningitis Treated With Pancake Syrup

The parents of a 19-month-old boy who died due to meningitis in 2012 said they're not guilty for their son's death. The couple are currently on trial, where it was revealed that they treated their son with pancake syrup instead of medicine.

A jury in Canada is hearing the case of David Stephan, 32, and Collet Stephan, 35, who were charged by the police for not properly seeking medical treatment for their son, Ezekiel. Only when the young boy stopped breathing did his parents bring him to the hospital. But by then, it was already too late.

Authorities alleged that the Stephans gave their son home remedies and supplements - maple syrup, berries, apple cider vinegar, onions, garlic and ginger root - when he started getting sick. Despite the home treatments, the child's condition continued to deteriorate.

In a taped investigation, the jury heard the couple telling the police that they relied on naturopathic remedies. The couple manages Truehope Nutritional Support Inc., which distributes natural treatments and supplements.

In 2004, the company was warned by Health Canada for selling Empowerplus, a supplement that's supposed to manage mental illness. Prosecutors alleged the Stephans also gave this to their then sick son.

A social worker on the couple's case testified that the Stephans didn't have any record with the Child and Family Services prior to this unfortunate event. A registered nurse and friend of the family also came to check on Ezekiel, upon his mother's request, and advised the parents that they should take him to the doctor. The baby had apparently been sick with fever and colds for two weeks before he developed a respiratory infection. She suspected he could have meningitis.

The Stephans insist that they love their son and that they attended to his needs. They believe that this case against them is a way for the government and certain groups to force parents to vaccinate their children.

"We have found there (sic) actual names on Health Canada documents that showed that they were greatly responsible for initiating the seizure of our mental health supplements at the border back in 2003, that ultimately resulted in numerous suicides as over 3000 Canadians were relying on our products in favour of pharmaceutical medications and were now put into a place of hardship," part of the Stephans' statement said.

"This group is known to put on seminars that are sponsored by various pharmaceutical companies for the purpose of defaming and disparaging any treatments that are outside of allopathic medicine including chiropractic, naturopathic and homeopathic medicine," the statement adds. "One of these seminars was solely dedicated to the defaming of my father's company that is known as Truehope."

The Stephans could face five years in prison if convicted for their negligence. The couple has two older kids.

Tags

Meningitis