Parents charged in child’s death
In spite of any beliefs, parents and guardians are required to provide the necessaries of life. HOMICIDE STAFF SGT. DOUG ANDRUS
In the 14 months of baby John Clark’s short life, he had not seen a doctor since birth, according to police. Even as the child’s health declined, his parents kept his condition a secret from family members until a relative discovered how sick he was and insisted they seek medical help, police said.
The boy’s parents eventually took him to a local hospital on Nov. 28, 2013. Within 24 hours of being admitted, he died of a staph infection, complicated by malnutrition, police said.
On Friday, following a “long and complex investigation,” his parents, Jennifer Clark, 38, and Jeromie Clark, 34, of Calgary, were arrested and charged with criminal negligence causing death and failure to provide the necessaries of life. “We are concerned anytime we have a death in the city. But when we have a death of an infant, it tends to strike a chord with everyone,” homicide unit Staff Sgt. Doug Andrus told reporters Saturday.
The family, which also included two older siblings, had lived in a north Calgary home that “appeared normal, for all intents and purposes.”
“We believe the family followed a strict dietary regiment based on their faith and nutritional beliefs,” Andrus said, although he declined to elaborate.
Baby John was not born in a hospital and had not seen a doctor since birth. When he fell ill, the parents “took steps to conceal the condition of the infant from family members,” police allege.
“It was only after a realization by a family member that the infant was sick that they were advised to take him to the hospital,” Andrus said.
The baby died the following day, and police were immediately notified, launching a lengthy investigation that included consultations with an infectious diseases expert, a neurologist, a dermatologist and a pediatrician.
An autopsy and further tests revealed the child had died of a staph infection, which was untreatable due to complications from malnutrition, Andrus said.
“In the majority of cases, this infection is treatable by antibiotics if treated earlier,” he added.
The couple remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on Monday. “In spite of any beliefs, parents and guardians are required to provide the necessaries of life,” Andrus said. “That includes care, medical attention, food and shelter. If not, the consequences can be severe and parents and guardians can be held accountable for their actions.”