Belgian court convicts parents in baby’s malnutrition death
DENDERMONDE, Belgium — In a cautionary tale about alternative diets, a Belgian court convicted two parents Wednesday in the death of their infant, who succumbed to malnutrition and dehydration because his parents were firm believers in unconventional nutrition.
The court gave both a suspended six-month sentence because they failed to take adequate action to take care of baby Lucas, who died at 7 months old with organs shrunk to half their size and without any fat around them.
Judge Mieke Butstraen said the demise of the baby was “the result of the systematic offer of food that was not suitable.”
Because of that, “his health was seriously impeded and he eventually died” three years ago, weighing only 4.3 kilograms (9.5 pounds), barely a 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) more in weight than when he was born.