Jury finds couple guilty in son’s death from meningitis

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The parents of a toddler who died of meningitis have been found guilty of failing to provide him with the necessaries of life.

David and Collet Stephan were charged after 19-month-old Ezekiel died in March 2012.

The couple testified at their trial in Lethbridge, Alta., that they believed their son had croup or flu, so they treated him for 2 1/2 weeks with remedies that included smoothies with hot peppers, garlic, onions and horseradish.

He eventually stopped breathing and died after being rushed to hospital.

The four-man, eight-woman jury had been deliberating since Monday afternoon.

The defence argued the couple were loving, responsible parents who simply didn't realize how sick the little boy was, but the Crown said the Stephans didn't do enough to ensure Ezekiel received the medical help he needed.