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[Charles Brandon]

http://jezebel.com/anti-vaxx-couple-allegedly-allowed-toddler-to-die-of-me-1763573917?utm_source=recirculation&utm_medium=recirculation&utm_campaign=tuesdayPM

Canadian couple David and Collet Stephan have pleaded not guilty to charges that they “failed to provide the necessities for life” to their 19-month-old Ezekiel, who died of untreated meningitis four years ago. According to the CBC, prosecutors have claimed that the couple attempted to treat their son with home remedies rather than take him to a doctor; the couple allegedly only called an ambulance when he stopped breathing.

From the CBC:

Crown counsel played an audio tape from a police officer who interviewed the couple after hospital staff called police.

On the tape, Collet Stephan tells the officer a friend, who is a nurse, told the couple the boy likely had meningitis.

In a bid to boost his immune system, the couple gave the boy — who was lethargic and becoming stiff — various home remedies, such as water with maple syrup, juice with frozen berries and finally a mixture of apple cider vinegar, horse radish root, hot peppers, mashed onion, garlic and ginger root as his condition deteriorated.

Court heard the couple on tape explaining to the police officer that they prefer naturopathic remedies because of their family’s negative experiences with the medical system.
The Stephans run a controversial nutritional supplements company called Truehope Nutritional Support Inc.; in 2004, according to the CBC, Health Canada unsuccessfully tried to block distribution of one of their supplements, called EmpowerPlus, which prosecutors say was also given to Ezekiel. Truehope claims that EmpowerPlus, which basically consists of a variety of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, is an effective treatment for ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, autism, and a myriad of other disorders.

The couple released a truly batshit statement Sunday to their Facebook group, which, while titled “Prayers for Ezekiel” and described as “A page for positive thoughts/prayers for David, Collet and Ezra Stephan,” mostly seems set up to accept donations to cover court costs.

The statement, which can be seen in full here, claims that the couple is sleep deprived and “stretched thin”; that people “attacking our family” have caused their GoFundMe and YouCaring sites to be shut down; that a government seizure of their supplements in 2003 led to mass suicides; that “Yahshua (Jesus) once said ‘And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free’. Free from what one must ask? Free from the Romans or any other tyrannical government of that time or ours? Sure!”; and that “we are all beings of light and love.”

Gonna, um, gonna go ahead and not recommend that you not make a donation.

excuse the snarky tone of the article.

 

[Kerned]

This is very sad and I feel awful for the parents, but they should go to prison.

 

[JAVK]

.

 

[Zaptruder]

This is very sad and I feel awful for the parents, but they should go to prison.

Less useful than sending misinformation agents to jail. But that just opens up a pandora's box of problems.

 

[The Elite]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/raymond-toddler-death-trial-stephan-1.3481958

An Alberta couple whose son died of meningitis after being treated with homeopathic and naturopathic remedies were told to take their son to a doctor a day before his death, court heard Tuesday.

David Stephan, 32, and his wife, Collet Stephan, 35, have pleaded not guilty to failing to provide the necessaries of life for 19-month-old Ezekiel, who died in March 2012.

Garlic, ginger root among home remedies given to Alberta boy who died of meningitis
As the trial continued for a second day in Lethbridge on Tuesday, David Stephan kept his arm wrapped around his wife's shoulders for most of the day.

Just days before his death, Ezekiel fell asleep in the bathtub, the court heard.

Worried, his mother called a friend who is a registered nurse. That friend, Terrie Meynders, told the court she didn't see anything obviously wrong with the toddler, who was sleeping when she came by.

'Knowledge is power'

However, Meynders said she told Collet Stephan it could be meningitis and she should take the boy to see a doctor.

"I always say that knowledge is power," she told the court. "In my mind, if he was sick, it would be helpful to find out why."

The court heard that the Stephans did not seek medical help until the next day, when the toddler stopped breathing.

Ezekiel was airlifted to a hospital in Calgary and, after five days, doctors took him off life-support.

The Stephans are charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life by failing to get their child medical attention.

In the days leading up to his death, they had treated Ezekiel with a number of homeopathic remedies, including water with maple syrup, juice with frozen berries and finally a mixture of apple cider vinegar, horseradish root, hot peppers, mashed onion, garlic and ginger root as his condition deteriorated.

Would now go to doctor 'without hesitation'

A social worker who interviewed the couple in hospital while their brain-damaged toddler was on life-support testified that she asked the Stephans what they would do if their other son became sick.

They told her "without hesitation" that they'd bring him to a doctor, she said.

CBC article.

Frustrating.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

What dumb fucks. You fortunate to have access to medical technology but refuse to use it for your child you're damn right you should be charged. Neglect pure and simple.

 

[KurtSloane]

Simple case of gross negligence bordering on abuse.

A failure to provide care, lock them up, they killed their own child with their ignorant nonsense.

 

[EGM1966]

Sad. Just sad. Makes me angry too.

 

[wachie]

This is just sad all around.

 

[schlongdog]

Fucking idiot cunts

 

[neorej]

This is very sad and I feel awful for the parents, but they should go to prison.

I don't. I feel bad for the kid, who suffered because his parents denied him the care he needed. His siblings, who have to face this preventable loss. The parents can rot in jail for not being parents.

 

[CapitalismSucks DonkeyBalls]

Poor kid. Idiot parents. Regardless of a prison sentence, they'll live with their son's death for the rest of their lives. That's punishment enough.

 

[entremet]

Poor child.

Sucks he was born to unfit parents.

 

[Savitar]

Yeah even in Canada we got our batshit people too. That poor damn kid. His parents deserve jail.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

Hopefully they go down and their business goes down with them.

 

[massoluk]

Poor kid. Idiot parents. Regardless of a prison sentence, they'll live with their son's death for the rest of their lives. That's punishment enough.

Yeah.... No, throw them in jail. They are public health hazard.

 

[entremet]

Hopefully they go down and their business goes down with them.

I'm conflicted. There should be a penalty, but they have other kids and breaking up and destroying the family after this seems cruel.

 

[Burli]

As a father with a small child my blood boiled when I was reading the list of the remedies they gave the child whilst he most likely lay there in agony, full of fear and confusion, slowly dying. That poor child.

 

[Yaboosh]

What does meningitis look like? What sorts of symptoms were they ignoring?

 

[Kenshin001]

When I read of cases like this I believe part of their punishment should be compulsory sterilisation so that they are not allowed to bring any more children into this world. There is too much children's suffering because of the idiocy of people who are not fit to be parents.

 

[Deleted member 13876]

What does meningitis look like? What sorts of symptoms were they ignoring?

One of the more distinct symptoms is the inability to move your neck. That one may have been fairly evident here, but who knows.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

Poor kid. Idiot parents. Regardless of a prison sentence, they'll live with their son's death for the rest of their lives. That's punishment enough.

They have to be an example to other homeopathic idiots.

 

[TheBritishBear]

The parents thought that home remedies would have saved their child, but proven otherwise. They already going through their punishment and that will last for the rest of their life. They have to live with the guilt that they are responsible for their child's death.

That is far more worse to a parent than being put in prison.

What is the point of sending them to prison, you know, aside from satisfying the blood lust of the public? Prison serves to reform and reintegrate criminals back into society.

 

[Shuggananas]

Put these dumb shits in jail, this is awful

 

[CapitalismSucks DonkeyBalls]

Yeah.... No, throw them in jail. They are public health hazard.

They have to be an example to other homeopathic idiots.

Sure, and I am in no way advocating against a prison sentence. I'm just saying, above all things, they are now responsible for the death of a life.

 

[Simon Belmont]

As a father with a small child my blood boiled when I was reading the list of the remedies they gave the child whilst he most likely lay there in agony, full of fear and confusion, slowly dying. That poor child.

Yep. My son is two. When he has diaper rash my heart breaks for him. How could you not be in a full fledged panic while this was gong on?

 

[Earthpainting]

What does meningitis look like? What sorts of symptoms were they ignoring?

I've had it twice in my life now, and it was mainly the inability to cope with light or noise, migraines, and general flu-like symptoms. I can imagine it's very hard to connect symptoms to meningitis in a 1 year old.

I guess the lesson is to go to a fucking doctor.

 

[entremet]

One of the more distinct symptoms is the inability to move your neck. That one may have been fairly evident here, but who knows.

It's apparently rampant in college campuses due to the close living quarters and higher possible vectors of transmission.

I remember them mentioning it in my college orientation.

 

[Llyranor]

I'm conflicted. There should be a penalty, but they have other kids and breaking up and destroying the family after this seems cruel.

The other kids wouldn't stay with them anyway after this farce.

They destroyed their family here. By letting their kid - who they were responsible for - die negligently.

 

[TatteredHat]

The other children need to be placed with child protective services and these adults need to be banned from having another child ever again, disgusting.

 

[Bearjewpiter]

What does meningitis look like? What sorts of symptoms were they ignoring?

Common stuff really, aches in the neck and back, headaches, nausea. But that's why going to and trusting a doctor is so important especially with pediatrics, it'd be hard to differentiate from a more common sickness that could pass in a week or two. But it's not like meningitis is gonna go away, one of the protective layers of the brain is infected, that will never be solved with any amount of mashed up vegetables and vitamins

 

[Charles Brandon]

I've had it twice in my life now, and it was mainly the inability to cope with light or noise, migraines, and general flu-like symptoms. I can imagine it's very hard to connect symptoms to meningitis in a 1 year old.

Not sure about NA but in the UK information about meningitis is given to every parent because it is so difficult to spot and looks like flu. I know we had the symptoms up on the fridge. I'm sure it is the same in the US/Canada. There is no excuse, not that you were suggesting there was.

 

[TheBritishBear]

Yeah.... No, throw them in jail. They are public health hazard.

They have to be an example to other homeopathic idiots.

Or rather, it satisfy the blood lust of the public and no prison sentence should be based on the feelings of offended parents or the demand to imprison someone to 'set an example' on a case like this.

Losing your child and destroying your family is punishment enough. A prison sentence serves no purpose.

 

[dity]

This is awful.

I had viral meningitis as a child and was hospitalised for a week, undergoing heavy treatment. It was hell. My memories of the time are extremely fuzzy, but I remember a full body rash and lots of vomiting. I can't imagine dying like that. I just can't. It's so sad. With no proper help, I just can't.

 

[John Kowalski]

Needless death.

 

[Bearjewpiter]

Not sure about NA but in the UK information about meningitis is given to every parent because it is so difficult to spot and looks like flu. I know we had the symptoms up on the fridge. I'm sure it is the same in the US/Canada. There is no excuse, not that you were suggesting there was.

The problem with your reasoning is assuming the parents were simply without the information, a task that is quite difficult in the information age. They had the info they simply refused to listen to it.

Or rather, it satisfy the blood lust of the public and no prison sentence should be based on the feelings of offended parents or the demand to imprison someone to 'set an example' on a case like this.

Losing your child and destroying your family is punishment enough. A prison sentence serves no purpose.

Doesn't it though? Just because someone feels as bad as they ever could about committing a crime they should still serve the sentence that goes along with that crime. The fact that so many people still believe in this homeopathy BS is evidence enough for me that some people don't understand how little you can play around with a child's life. To quote Douglas Adams; "I have no sympathy at all"

 

[Aureon]

Or rather, it satisfy the blood lust of the public and no prison sentence should be based on the feelings of offended parents or the demand to imprison someone to 'set an example' on a case like this.

Losing your child and destroying your family is punishment enough. A prison sentence serves no purpose.

Negligent murder carries a prison sentence.

This is not a border-case accident, minor negligence, lapsus, or anything of the type.

This is full-on wilful negligence, and i really don't see any grounds to waive the prison sentence just because they're (assumingly) mourning.
They killed their child over belief in bullshit.

The issue is that all anti-vaxing should carry prison sentences, especially - if you read the article - they PEDDLED the bullshit, and they're not repentant.
They're not breaking down. They're doubling down. They should be sent away as a danger to themselves, their children, and anybody who they manage to influence.

 

[Funky Papa]

Or rather, it satisfy the blood lust of the public and no prison sentence should be based on the feelings of offended parents or the demand to imprison someone to 'set an example' on a case like this.

Losing your child and destroying your family is punishment enough. A prison sentence serves no purpose.

Regardless on your views on punishment for negligent murder (or homice, whatever fits Canada's legislation), these imbeciles are still raising funds for their defense using social media platforms while evangelizing their "natural supplements" business, endangering the wellbeing of countless people (more on that: Truehope’s Confusing Message: EMPowerplus (Q96) Claims to Treat Bipolar, ADHD, Depression).

They are dangerous and they should be removed from society.

 

[Herr Starr]

What is the point of sending them to prison, you know, aside from satisfying the blood lust of the public? Prison serves to reform and reintegrate criminals back into society.

Prison serves two purposes in modern society, one of which you already mentioned (I'll assume that "reintegrate" also encompasses isolating the perpetrator until he or she is ready to reemerge into society).

The other purpose is crime prevention, with the sentence serving as an example to reduce the likelihood that others will commit the same crime later. This is the most important part of a potential prison sentence for these parents. This homeopathy bullshit can only be combated through knowledge, and a prison sentence along with unfortunate child death can be an effective way to hammer such knowledge in for society as a whole.

 

[marrec]

Another answer to the question "what does it hurt?". Natural remedies, holistic medicine, "alternative" medicine, they're all potentially deadly and our governments don't do enough to ensure that the public is properly informed about this shit.

The parents seem to have learned their lesson, but tragically too late.

 

[Charles Brandon]

The problem with your reasoning is assuming the parents were simply without the information, a task that is quite difficult in the information age. They had the info they simply refused to listen to it.

I'm not saying that. I'm basically saying what you're saying. They should have had the information and if they didn't it's because they didn't bother to check.

 

[Not75Drops]

In a bid to boost his immune system, the couple gave the boy — who was lethargic and becoming stiff — various home remedies, such as water with maple syrup, juice with frozen berries and finally a mixture of apple cider vinegar, horse radish root, hot peppers, mashed onion, garlic and ginger root as his condition deteriorated.

It's like they just started giving him anything they could find in their kitchen and hoped that something would work. Idiots.

 

[Bearjewpiter]

I'm not saying that. I'm basically saying what you're saying. They should have had the information and if they didn't it's because they didn't bother to check.

Oh I know you're not, I'm agreeing with you that there's no excuse

 

[therapist]

Or rather, it satisfy the blood lust of the public and no prison sentence should be based on the feelings of offended parents or the demand to imprison someone to 'set an example' on a case like this.

Losing your child and destroying your family is punishment enough. A prison sentence serves no purpose.

Its basically death by negligence. Isn't that a punishable offence?

They also don't really seem remorseful and sell garbage like they used on him in their shop , yes they do deserve prison , at least for a bit.

They're trying to raise funds for their defense i mean seriously?
I can understand it must be a horrible feeling but fuck them , its completely their fault.

 

[TheBritishBear]

Negligent murder carries a prison sentence.

As a carer or a teacher, probably. But there have been numerous court cases where parents haven't been sentenced to prison in similar situations because a prison sentence won't serve a purpose. Remember, prison sentence serve to reform and reintegrate them back into society, not primarily as a punishment tool.

Their punishment already is the death of their own child and potentially their family taken away from them. That is far more impactful than a prison sentence.

This is full-on wilful negligence, and i really don't see any grounds to waive the prison sentence just because they're (assumingly) mourning.
They killed their child over belief in bullshit.

And their belief killed their child, which is going to be a wake-up call for them. If it doesn't, well... If their family is taken away, it's not like they can do it again.

 

[Ray Wonder]

Will we ever be free?
I am not sure that Collet and I have ever looked forward to a weekend as much as we have now. Last week was quite eventful getting settled into court, attempting to balance family life, trying to figure out a new way to receive donations and lastly, having our car engine pretty much explode (more on this in the next update). As such, Collet and I have been extremely sleep deprived, stretched thin, and attempting to take on more than is humanly possible. If ever our spirit’s have felt broken, yesterday was one of those days and the past day and a half has served as burnout recovery. We are both starting to recoup from the past week by setting our focus on those things that are most important and we are feeling more ready to attend the next week of court.
Moving on to the great opposition that we have been facing in regard to fundraising websites. As many of you know, we have had some attacks on our previous GoFundMe account and then on our YouCaring fundraising account… both of which have led to them being shut down. We were concerned as to who would be attacking my family and why? We had our ideas, however just the other day we had an admission from someone operating under a fake alias that provided us with enough clues that we have a very good understanding of who the group is that is attacking us. They are well aware of my family and have spent a considerable amount of time attacking us and our work for 15+ years, many times under fake alias’. We have found there actual names on Health Canada documents that showed that they were greatly responsible for initiating the seizure of our mental health supplements at the border back in 2003, that ultimately resulted in numerous suicides as over 3000 Canadians were relying on our products in favour of pharmaceutical medications and were now put into a place of hardship. This group is known to put on seminars that are sponsored by various pharmaceutical companies for the purpose of defaming and disparaging any treatments that are outside of allopathic medicine including chiropractic, naturopathic and homeopathic medicine. One of these seminars was solely dedicated to the defaming of my father’s company that is known as Truehope.
Coming to the knowledge of who was behind these attacks is one of the most challenging things that I have come across in a while. I have never had personal dealings with these individuals in the past, however I was well aware of them and despised them for the actions they had taken that resulted in great harm to many people in Canada. It hit me hard this week as I came to the realization that I had never forgiven them and was carrying a great burden as I held these individuals in contempt. Now that contempt was being magnified as I was experiencing their attacks firsthand and it was putting my family into a state of hardship. And they were successful at what they were doing as with the limited amount of fundraising we could do over this past week, we gratefully generated approximately $1000, however we were previously generating that much per day and the past week of court alone will have cost us over $10,000. Needless to say, you can imagine the level of resentment that I was harbouring towards these individuals over this past week as I have had to focus a considerable amount of time on this issue, depriving my family of the limited quality time that we could have, dedicating it towards creating a new and secure infrastructure that we can accept donations from. Due to this I have felt extremely weighed down and captive to my emotions for the past few days.
So the question is, will we ever be free? Free from the turmoil… free from the attacks… free from being plagued with anger and hatred. Yahshua (Jesus) once said “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”. Free from what one must ask? Free from the Romans or any other tyrannical government of that time or ours? Sure! But before that can take place, the people that are in bondage to these external forces must first be free from themselves. It is us as individuals that place ourselves in bondage. Why? Because we do not accept the truth and as such we are bound by our emotions, our anger, our hatred, our fears and we are no longer in control, but rather being controlled from within. We are subjected to internal slavery. It is because we do not live the truths that we are to Love unconditionally as we are loved and that we are to forgive others as we are forgiven. To show compassion, mercy, charity to others as we would hope for ourselves. We do not accept the truth that we are all Divine Sons and Daughters of a Divine Creator. This perspective alone should change our outlook toward others regardless of who they are or what they have done. Regardless of their ideologies and how destructive they may be. They are Divine Sons and Daughters just as you and I are, and as such, they are entitled to our unconditional Love and forgiveness just as much as any other Divine Creation.
It was only after our brothers and sisters in India adopted the “Satyagraha” (“Firm in Truth”) movement alongside Mohandas Gandhi, that they achieved their independence from Britain. How did they do it? Not through physical force, but rather the force of Love that compelled the British to turn away from their brutal tactics and leave the country. Love is not complacency, but rather the greatest force known to man, able to permeate any bitter and hardened heart. It is the greatest force of change and should not be taken lightly. There is a shift or an awakening taking place and Love is at its core. Collet and I have begun to recognize this and realize that these experiences that we are going through are assisting to accelerate this awakening within us. We are all beings of light and Love and we will never truly become who we were meant to be until we are liberated from the tyranny within us. As we are beginning to accept the truth and allow the Love to flow freely, we are being set free.
To the group that has actively and maliciously attacked Collet and I… We Forgive You! Not only do we forgive you, but we Love you. We Love you as Divine Creations of our Father. And as hard as it has been to come to this conclusion, we thank you! Albeit, we do not like the hardship you have put us in, we are grateful for the role that you have played in our progression. May God bless you with an abundance of Love as he has blessed us. May any bitterness that has place within your soul be far removed from you.
Collet and I would Love to express our gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of Love. We apologize if we have not responded to any of you as we have been receiving about a hundred messages per day that we deeply appreciate, but have not had the time to respond. We now have 3 ways that you can donate whether it be by credit card, interac e-transfer or cheque by mail as seen on our cover photo. We are also hoping to have our blog up and running shortly as well. Thank you all for your Love and support and playing a part in our journey. May God continue to bless you all for your beautiful hearts and most kind deeds.
With Love,
David, Collet and the Boys

Their post after it happened. I don't feel bad, because it seems like they don't. They're being persecuted, they want money.

 

[The Incarnation]

Shouldn't be jailed, but if they have kids in the future they should be put into care.

 

[AuthenticM]

Child services need to take the other kids away from these assholes.

Regardless on your views on punishment for negligent murder (or homice, whatever fits Canada's legislation), these imbeciles are still raising funds for their defense using social media platforms while evangelizing their "natural supplements" business, endangering the wellbeing of countless people (more on that: Truehope’s Confusing Message: EMPowerplus (Q96) Claims to Treat Bipolar, ADHD, Depression).

They are dangerous and they should be removed from society.

This.

 

[Llyranor]

Another answer to the question "what does it hurt?". Natural remedies, holistic medicine, "alternative" medicine, they're all potentially deadly and our governments don't do enough to ensure that the public is properly informed about this shit.

The parents seem to have learned their lesson, but tragically too late.

They're still advocating for their snake oil on their facebook

 

[TheBritishBear]

Regardless on your views on punishment for negligent murder (or homice, whatever fits Canada's legislation), these imbeciles are still raising funds for their defense using social media platforms while evangelizing their "natural supplements" business, endangering the wellbeing of countless people (more on that: Truehope’s Confusing Message: EMPowerplus (Q96) Claims to Treat Bipolar, ADHD, Depression).

They are dangerous and they should be removed from society.

I agree that if they try to fight their case and failed, using these funds, then they should be imprisoned and removed from society. Because I feel they aren't remorseful enough and anyone who fights their case to be announced as guilty later on should be given the full sentence.

They are putting the money where their mouth is and if they failed, they should be punished.

I'm not entirely against a prison sentence, but I feel that prison sentences to me, should serve a purpose.