Death of Zita at 16 months: her parents sentenced to five years in prison in Drôme
The parents of little Zita, who died in 2018 from severe malnutrition, have been sentenced to five years in prison, of which two years are custodial and adjustable.
Sentencing of Zita's parents, who died of malnutrition at 16 months
The parents of a 16-month-old girl who died in January 2018 as a result of severe malnutrition have been sentenced on Wednesday 3 June to five years in prison, of which two years are custodial and adjustable, according to franceinfo.fr. The Drôme assize court also imposed on them a ten-year obligation to undergo medical treatment.
The couple, residing in Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence, in Drôme, had been on trial since 26 May. The father, aged 52, and the mother, aged 45, were prosecuted for "deprivation of food resulting in death" of their daughter named Zita.
A catastrophic state of health upon hospital admission
The child had been admitted to Lyon hospital in a state of severe malnutrition, a few days before her death in January 2018. She weighed only 6.930 kilograms at that time. During the investigation, the mother had explained that she fed her daughter exclusively with plant-based milk, citing an intolerance to cow's milk — without ever producing medical justification to support this.
Accusations also involving the other children
The couple is now parents to nine children. At the time of the events, they were also accused of "deprivation of food" towards the five other children they had in their care at that time. The court followed the submissions made the previous day by the deputy prosecutor, who had requested a sentence of five years in prison, of which three with probation suspension, accompanied by adjustable custodial time.
The deputy prosecutor had assessed that the parents' place was not in detention. Incarceration would result in the placement of their children, which "would bring nothing to society", she had argued, according to ICI Drôme Ardèche.
The mother acknowledges her responsibility in court
The deputy prosecutor further highlighted the evolution in the state of mind of the two accused since the beginning of the case. The mother appeared to have grasped the extent of her responsibility in the death of her daughter. "I was too focused on my beliefs, my choices (…) In thinking I was doing the right thing, I missed everything, but now, since I have heard the various expert doctors, I have understood well… Yes, I am responsible for her death by malnutrition and I am ashamed, I do not know why I could do that?", she had declared in court.
Source: Google News LU FR