Wow.
This reminds me of a similar incident that happened here in NY not long ago. I guess the issue here (that is being battled in court) is whether they can be charged if they honestly thought that what they are doing is in the best interest of the child.
Here is the other article:
By Tom Kelly, New York
A VEGAN couple yesterday were accused of starving their baby daughter by denying her milk and feeding her only herbal tea, fruit juice, nuts and vegetables. Joseph and Silva Swinton, both 31, are also alleged to have failed to get their 16-month-old daughter Ice medical help for severe malnutrition.
Authorities said the pair, from Queens, New York, did not feed her breast milk or infant formula and instead gave her a vegan diet of ground nuts, fresh squeezed juice, herbal tea, beans, cod liver oil and flaxseed oil.
"This case is heartbreaking and among the worst cases of child neglect I have ever seen," said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
When Ice was taken into hospital she was so tiny she resembled a two or three month old infant, half the average weight of a child her age, social workers said.
She was suffering developmental problems, a distended abdomen, fractured bones, rickets and a lung disorder, all caused by malnutrition.
Her parents are charged with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.
They each face up to seven years in jail if convicted.
Ice was born at home in July 2000, with no medical assistance. The couple declined pre or post-natal care. Now almost 21 months old, she weighs 20 pounds, the average weight of an infant 10 to 12 months old.
Ice still suffers brittle bones, a distended stomach, weakness, difficulty moving her arms and legs and "no ability to verbalise, other than through soft crying,", prosecutors said. She is currently in a foster care.
Her parents are both strict vegans and ate no meat, dairy, fish or eggs.
Experts said it is possible to feed an infant a vegan diet and provide the proper nutrients as long as it includes breast milk or soya-based formula.