I would hope they would demonstrate remorse, at least, yet the father is accusing the specialist in the case of being unqualified to read a CT scan (which confirmed her diagnosis of meningitis). Puh-leeze. That doesn't sound like a person who has accepted that they made a grievous error and their son paid for it with his life.
Excerpts from a newspaper article regarding the death of Ezekiel Stephan:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/david-collet-ezekial-stephan-meningitis-alberta-trial-1.5187869“A father accused in his son's death testified Monday that the sick boy's condition worsened after he had appeared to be doing better, but not to the point where his parents were worried.”
RED FLAG: “…the sick boy’s condition worsened”
“David and Collet Stephan are charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life for their son, Ezekiel, who had meningitis, when the family lived in southern Alberta in March 2012.”
“A medical examiner has previously testified that Ezekiel died of bacterial meningitis and a lung infection in 2012.”
“It is the second trial for the Stephans, who now live in Grande Prairie, Alta. A jury found them guilty in 2016, but the Supreme Court overturned the convictions last year and ordered a new trial. This one is before a judge alone.”
“The Stephans initially treated their son for days with herbal remedies, alternative therapies and a priesthood blessing and only sought medical attention when he stopped breathing.”
RED FLAGS: 1. The child was sick enough to eventually stop breathing. 2. The boy stopped breathing.
“Stephan testified that he and his wife thought Ezekiel had croup and appeared to be recovering at their home near Glenwood, Alta.”
RED FLAG: Parents made their own diagnosis. A sick child should generally be diagnosed by a competent physician, especially if the illness lasts more than 2-3 days.
“Two weeks before he was rushed to hospital, the toddler's condition had worsened to the point that they discussed whether they should take him to a hospital, Stephan said. But they didn't think it was serious enough.”
RED FLAG: “…the toddler’s condition worsened”. It got to the point that even parents who avoid mainstream medical intervention discussed seeking medical advice.
“Stephan said his wife did call a friend of hers who was a nurse and a midwife. The friend mentioned the possibility Ezekiel might have meningitis but she wasn't sure. And with a lack of symptoms, Ezekiel probably "would be turned away" if he sought medical attention.”
RED FLAGS: 1. A midwife has no special expertise to diagnose an ill child, especially over the phone. 2. The midwife did, though, actually mention the possibility of meningitis. How tragic that that did not raise the anxiety level of herself or the parents.
"He went down for his nap and he woke up in crisis. His breathing started to get worse," said Stephan. "I was shocked and confused. He became very tired right before he stopped breathing."
“Stephan called 911, but when Ezekiel started breathing again, the father declined an ambulance.”
This is beyond tragic – for the child. I would also wonder why the paramedics didn’t show up anyway. They usually do, to check things out even if the caller says that things eventually appear to be all right.
RED FLAG: The child stopped breathing. Even though he appeared to recover somewhat, the majority of parents/people would seek expert advice for such a life-threatening turn of events. I think this is a crucial point in determining fault – what would the average non-medical parent or guardian do in a similar situation. If a parent fails to meet this standard they face questions, possible trial, and potentially a guilty verdict.
“Under cross-examination by Crown attorney Britta Kristensen, Stephan said he had learned from his wife that her friend suggested Ezekiel might have meningitis.”
"You were made aware that bacterial meningitis was quite serious?" she asked.”
"Yes I was made aware that with bacterial meningitis you generally have 24 hours before it became a crisis," Stephan replied.”
"Do you recall being told that it was a potentially deadly condition?" Kristensen continued.”
"That would have been communicated to me," Stephan said.”
(I am not aware of whether this means he knew or he didn’t know).
“Stephan also told court that Ezekiel and his older brother didn't have routine visits with a pediatrician or family doctor, and they didn't get standard vaccinations.”
RED FLAG: The children, at the least, were susceptible to infections due to lack of vaccinations. (Whether you agree with vaccination or not, this is a true statement).
“Kristensen asked Stephan if he was aware that the vaccinations would have protected against meningitis.”
"No," said Stephan. "I wasn't really aware of what meningitis was."
(All the more reason to look it up or, better, consult a qualified medical practitioner in the face of a child’s illness lasting more than a few days and/or appearing serious).
“Defence lawyer Jason Demers said in a brief opening statement that the Stephans didn't do anything wrong.”
"Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Parenting is not like looking into a crystal ball," Demers said.”
"Taking Ezekiel to hospital any sooner than the Stephans did may not have made a difference."
(But it may have. Thinking that a hospital check-up may not make a difference in a life or death situation is not a valid reason for not consulting a physician).
“In March 2012, the Stephans took Ezekiel to Lethbridge so they could buy remedies but prosecutor Britta Kristensen, the toddler's body was so stiff at that point that the couple was unable to get him into his car seat and instead had him lie on a mattress in the back of their car.”
RED FLAG x 100: The toddler’s body was stiff (a well known effect of untreated meningitis). Who could reasonably accept that they were still dealing with croup, or any condition that could be handled by parents without medical assistance?
“Court heard the couple made two 911 calls on March 13, 2012.”
“The first was when Ezekiel had stopped breathing, but he seemed to recover, so David Stephan turned down an offer for an ambulance.”
“The prosecution told the judge that by the time paramedics got involved, Ezekiel had no pulse and no neurological activity.”
The poor little boy.
So many red flags, ignored. So much ignorance.
A second article, dealing with the perspective of a paediatric specialist who eventually became involved:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/pediatric-specialist-calls-ct-scan-of-toddler-s-brain-one-of-the-most-devastating-she-s-seen-1.5175034“A pediatric critical care specialist says the results of a CT scan on the brain of a boy whose parents are on trial in his death was one of the "most devastating" she had ever seen.”
“Dr. Shauna Burkholder was testifying Thursday at the trial of David and Collet Stephan on one count each of failing to provide the necessaries of life for their son, 19-month-old Ezekiel Stephan.”
“They treated the toddler with alternative and natural medicines instead of seeking medical assistance right away.”
“A medical examiner has previously testified that Ezekiel died of bacterial meningitis and a lung infection in 2012.”
“Burkholder was asked by the Crown about her diagnosis of the boy.”
“She testified that the CT scan and blood tests in combination with her physical exam and speaking with the Stephans led her to believe that Ezekiel likely had bacterial meningitis.”
“At this point in the voir dire, David Stephan, who is representing himself, challenged Burkholder's qualifications and ability to accurately read a CT scan.”
RED FLAG: The father is unlearned in this regard and yet he impugns the credentials of the specialist.
Whatever the outcome of the second trial, hopefully these parents, and many others, will learn when seeking medical help is the most prudent course of action to help a sick child. And that failing to do so is negligence, if not homicide, unwitting or otherwise.