The vegan parents of a boy who died in Florida from malnourishment have been arrested on charges of negligent manslaughter.
The 18-month-old boy died on Friday, September 27, 2019, in the early hours of the morning.
When police spoke with parents Ryan and Sheila O'Leary, the mother said her son hadn't eaten for a week and was only being breastfed.
On the day of the boy's death, after nursing, he began to experience shallow breathing. O'Leary told police she should have called someone but instead the couple fell asleep, the Florida Fort Myers News-Press reported.
The autopsy found the boy's death was caused by malnutrition, including dehydration and swollen hands and feet, local media reported.
"The boy had been struggling with illness for the past six months, making it difficult for him to eat," said US Attorney John Musca, who is representing Sheila O'Leary.
According to police reports the boy weighed 7.7kg when he died. The World Health Organization says an 18-month-old boy should weigh about 11kg.
The parents also have two other children, aged three and five, whom the police were told are home-schooled and only eat fruits and vegetables.
The Florida Fort Myers News-Press described the two children as extremely small, pale and yellowish in colour.
The parents have a bond set for US$250,000 and are being held in Lee County jail. An indictment is scheduled for Monday, December 9, 2019.
