Florida Vegan Mom Gets Life in Prison for Starving Toddler Son to Death

A Florida vegan mom was convicted of murder in connection to the malnutrition death of her toddler son.

Sheila O'Leary, 38, who had her family follow a strict vegan diet, was sentenced to life in prison by a Lee County court in Florida on Monday.

She was convicted in June on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter, child abuse, and two counts of child neglect for the death of Ezra O'Leary.

Her sentence had reportedly been postponed four times. According to the Associated Press, the Florida vegan mom's husband, Ryan Patrick O'Leary, is awaiting trial on the same charges as he remains in jail. He also has two molestation charges against him.

Florida Vegan Mom's Son Was Malnourished and Weighed Only 17 Pounds

Ryan and Sheila O'Leary had three children together, including their 18-month-old son Ezra, who died of malnutrition. Investigators found that the couple only ate raw fruits and vegetables. Although, their youngest son also was fed breast milk.

Because of the diet, investigators discovered that all their children were worryingly malnourished. Authorities found that baby Ezra only weighed around 17 pounds or 8 kilograms before he died. This is the size of a 7-month-old baby.

A police report showed that he died in September 2019. Authorities also discovered that the two surviving children were malnourished as well.

The Florida vegan mom had another child from a previous relationship. That child, a daughter, was returned to her biological father in Virginia in a separate case.

The same reason her biological father got custody was also due to malnutrition at the hands of the vegan couple.

Aside from the life sentence handed to her, Judge Bruce Kyle also ordered that Shiela O'Leary should not have any contact with her surviving children.

Florida Vegan Mom's Attorney Says He Will Appeal Sentence and Ask for a New Trial

Local Cape Coral news outlet, News-Press, spoke to Sheila O'Leary's attorney, Lee Hollander.

The lawyer noted that they expected the sentence, which is 30 years for aggravated child abuse, 30 years for manslaughter, a total of 10 years for two counts of child neglect, and five years for child abuse.

While the defense side was not surprised with the outcome, Hollander noted that they still intend to appeal the sentence. They are also seeking a new trial.

The lawyer argued that "first-degree murder and aggravated manslaughter charges amounted to double jeopardy." He added that the prosecution violated his client's right to confront her accuser because their eldest child testified remotely.

Francine Donnorummo, Special Victims Unit chief at the State Attorney's Office, noted that Ezra suffered for a long time.

In her closing arguments last June, she said the baby was "starved to death over 18 months" and that the Florida vegan mom "failed to provide the infant with food and health care."

When Ezra died, the couple admitted to detectives that they led a strict vegan diet of only eating raw fruits and vegetables, with Ezra also receiving breastmilk.

However, they also told detectives that their son had not eaten for a week and had trouble sleeping on the night before his death.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Florida Vegan Mom Convicted of Starving Child To Death - From CBS Miami