Toddler Died After Parents Attempted To Treat Him With Herbal Remedies

Parents who operate Truehope Nutritional Support Inc. from their home in Raymond are accused of allowing their toddler to die in meningitis after trying to treat him with herbal remedies rather than taking the toddler to a doctor. However, the couple pleaded not guilty to the charges.

David Stephan, 32, and his wife Collet Stephan, 35, are both accused of failing to provide all the necessities of life to their 19-month- old toddler, Ezekiel, according to the Independent. The Canadian authorities said that the toddler has been sick for two weeks, but instead of taking Ezekiel to a doctor, the couple attempted to treat him with home remedies. These remedies include a cocktail of apple cider vinegar, ginger root and water with maple syrup.

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However, Ezekiel's symptoms persisted. Nevertheless, Mrs. Stephan just continued on giving the toddler natural remedies. Unfortunately, the child's condition was deteriorating and suddenly he stopped breathing on March 13, 2012.

That's the only time the parents called for an ambulance, the toddler was airlifted to the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary, where he was put on life support. But five days later doctors took off the machine.

The court heard that before the toddler died, there was a midwife, Terry Meynder, visited Ezekiel and advised the parents to take the child to a doctor, but the couple didn't listen. There was also one occasion, the parents brought the toddler to an alternative medicine doctor, who prescribed them a treatment for viral meningitis.

During the hearing the court also heard that the parents attempted to treat the toddler using their product, EMPowerplus. But the family denied the allegation through social media-- claiming that they are being prosecuted unfairly, according to CBC. 

The trial is scheduled to continue until March 24. Both parents could face five years imprisonment if proven guilty.