Parents convicted over underfed baby’s death

A Belgian court yesterday convicted two parents over the death of their infant from malnutrition and dehydration because they believed in unconventional nutrition.

The court gave both a suspended six-month sentence because they failed to take adequate action to care for baby Lucas, who died at seven months old with organs shrunk to half their size and with no fat around them.

Judge Mieke Butstraen said the demise of the baby at seven months old was “the result of the systematic offer of food that was not suitable”.