AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Two Seventh Day Adventists, whose 6-month-old son died after they refused to allow doctors to treat him when he fell ill, were convicted Wednesday of his manslaughter.
Roby Jan Moorhead, 45, and his wife Deborah Anne Moorhead, 34, were each found guilty by a High Court jury of the manslaughter of their 6-month-old son, Caleb, by failing to provide the necessities of life.
Caleb died on March 29 last year from bronchopneumonia associated with anemia and brain damage caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12, found in animal foods including fish, milk and eggs.
Prosecutors said the couple were vegans who did not eat meat, fish or dairy products. They believed that their son could be treated with prayer, herbs and vegetables.
The couple had refused to allow doctors to treat Caleb despite being told several times that the child had profound anemia and significant shrinkage of the brain.
However, the Moorheads insisted God and herbal remedies would save him. At one point they attempted to treat him by rubbing garlic into the soles of his feet.
During the trial, prosecutors said that Deborah Moorhead had told police that conventional medicine was “Satan’s way.”
The policeman who headed the homicide inquiry said the infant’s death was needless.
“It has been a pretty tragic case and it was a totally avoidable situation,” said Det. Sgt. Chris Scahill.
“Caleb did not need to die,” he said. The parents’ strong, deeply held religious beliefs blinded them to the plight of their sick child, he added.
