Police say vegan parents almost killed their baby from malnourishment with fanatical diet
Titusville, Florida, police say they were horrified to discover that a baby had been
malnourished by his vegan parents almost to the point of starving to death
malnourished by his vegan parents almost to the point of starving to death
20-year-old Julia French and 31-year-old Robert Buskey have been arrested and
charged with neglect with great harm, but they may have further charges made
against them.
charged with neglect with great harm, but they may have further charges made
against them.
Police said that when they intervened the child "had sunken eyes, loose skin on his
extremities... ribs and other bones were showing." He was so lethargic that he was
unable to move on his own.
extremities... ribs and other bones were showing." He was so lethargic that he was
unable to move on his own.
The baby reportedly only gained one pound in the five months after being born,
which is extremely abnormal.
which is extremely abnormal.
"At one point, when the child was doing good and healthy and gaining weight, he
was on an organic formula and they changed it on their own," said Detective Lauren
Watson.
was on an organic formula and they changed it on their own," said Detective Lauren
Watson.
They are accused of feeding the baby a potato-based mash that the couple found on
the internet.
the internet.
Police charge that the couple had enough money to buy baby formula, but opted to
feed him their alternate formula instead.
feed him their alternate formula instead.
The vegan couple are not legally married but French reportedly calls herself
Buskey's "concubine" in accordance with the dictates of their religion.
Buskey's "concubine" in accordance with the dictates of their religion.
Police say the baby has gained half a pound since being taken away from his parents.
