Close X
Friday, December 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Defence To Call 1st Witness At Trial Of Couple Charged In Son's Meningitis Death

The Canadian Press, 11 Apr, 2016 12:16 PM
    LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — The defence is to call its first witness today at the trial of a former Alberta couple charged in the death of their toddler son from bacterial meningitis.
     
    The toddler's parents, David and Collet Stephan, formerly of Glenwood, Alta., are charged with failing to provide the necessities of life for their son Ezekiel.
     
    Defence lawyer Shawn Buckley has already told the jury that evidence will show the almost 19-month-old boy appeared to get better at times — right up until the night he stopped breathing and had to be rushed to hospital in March 2012.
     
    The trial in Lethbridge has heard that the boy had been sick for about 2 1/2 weeks, and his parents gave him natural remedies and homemade smoothies containing hot pepper, ginger root, horseradish and onion.
     
    After being taken to a local facility, Ezekiel was rushed to a Calgary hospital, where he died a week later from bacterial meningitis and a lung infection.
     
    The Crown contends the couple didn't do enough to ensure the toddler had proper access to medical care before he became seriously ill.
     
    In earlier testimony, a pediatrician said Ezekiel had less than a one per cent chance of surviving by the time he was taken to hospital.
     
    Dr. Shauna Burkholder, who works at Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary, said medical staff at the smaller hospital near the Stephan home had been able to revive Ezekiel, but the boy was probably already brain dead at that point.
     
    The jury has also heard that a friend who was a nurse told the Stephans that their boy might have viral meningitis and advised them to take him to a doctor.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    TransCanada hopes to restart Keystone on Sunday after leak in South Dakota

    SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — TransCanada says it hopes to restart its Keystone pipeline on Sunday after a leak in South Dakota forced it to shut down the cross-border line for the past week.

    TransCanada hopes to restart Keystone on Sunday after leak in South Dakota

    Vancouver Police Arrest Sex Offender At UBC Campus

    Vancouver Police Arrest Sex Offender At UBC Campus
    Police say 45-year-old Jason White is a person of interest in an attempted home invasion of an elderly woman in the city's Oakridge neighbourhood.

    Vancouver Police Arrest Sex Offender At UBC Campus

    Think You Know Your Taxes? Test Your Knowledge With This Tax Quiz

    Think You Know Your Taxes? Test Your Knowledge With This Tax Quiz
    The Canada Revenue Agency says you should keep any receipts and documents for at least six years after you file your return. 

    Think You Know Your Taxes? Test Your Knowledge With This Tax Quiz

    UVic Scientist Rishi Gupta Developing Smart Cement That Heals, Seals Cracks

    UVic Scientist Rishi Gupta Developing Smart Cement That Heals, Seals Cracks
    B.C.'s Technology Minister Amrik Virk said the UVic research could result in safer bridges and buildings around the world.

    UVic Scientist Rishi Gupta Developing Smart Cement That Heals, Seals Cracks

    One Winning Ticket For $50 Million Jackpot In Friday's Lotto Max Sold In Kelowna, B.C.

    One Winning Ticket For $50 Million Jackpot In Friday's Lotto Max Sold In Kelowna, B.C.
    There is one winning ticket for the $50 million jackpot in Friday night's Lotto Max draw — and it was sold in Kelowna, B.C.

    One Winning Ticket For $50 Million Jackpot In Friday's Lotto Max Sold In Kelowna, B.C.

    Shoe Thrown At Arvind Kejriwal As Government Announces Odd-Even Part Two

    Shoe Thrown At Arvind Kejriwal As Government Announces Odd-Even Part Two
    A nonchalant chief minister however went ahead with the press conference, saying that the government is seriously mulling a proposal to enforce the scheme for 15 days every month.

    Shoe Thrown At Arvind Kejriwal As Government Announces Odd-Even Part Two