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1st July 2022
05:02pm BST

Shelia O'Leary and her husband Ryan O'Leary.[/caption]
“This child did not eat. He was starved to death over 18 months," explained Special Victims Unit Chief, Francine Donnorummo, of the State Attorney's Office.
Following an autopsy, it was discovered that Ezra had died of malnutrition complications.
Donnorummo cited Google searches, reportedly conducted by Shelia shortly before her child's death when she noticed that his health was deteriorating, plus the family's strict raw-food-only diet to support her arguments for neglect.
"She knew what she needed to do," explained Donnorummo, adding: “Ignorance is not a defense in this case,” and that Shelia "made choices that killed her child."
Co-prosecutor Sara Miller also accused Shelia of failing to seek proper medical care, saying "she chose to disregard [her son's] cries," and pointing out the fact that "she didn’t need a scale to see his bones. She didn’t need a scale to hear his cry.”
What's more, the jury heard that Shelia and Ryan's other two children - both under 11-years-old when Ezra died - had also been showing signs of neglect.
At the time of writing, Shelia's husband Ryan is scheduled to face the same charges.
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