Doctor lone protester against couple being sentenced in son’s meningitis death

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – A single protester showed up at a southern Alberta courthouse prior to the sentencing hearing for a couple found negligent in the meningitis death of their toddler.

David and Collet Stephan were found guilty in April of failing to provide the necessaries of life to their 19-month-old son Ezekiel and are to be sentenced on Friday.

Dr. Carrie Kollias, a Lethbridge orthopedic surgeon, brought her two children to the courthouse and carried two placards.

One of the signs read: “Science. Not fear. Not Negligence,” while the other said that “Children have a right to live and not die of a curable disease.”

Kollias said it bothers her that supporters of the Stephans are trying to turn the case into a forum for the anti-vaccination movement.

She said the key thing is a small boy died an unnecessary death and medicine would have saved his life.

Kollias said she felt she needed to speak out after hearing that anti-vaccination documentary filmmakers are urging the public to support the Stephans.