Baby Slowly Starved To Death By Toxic Vegan Mother

A Florida mother was sentenced to life in prison following a first-degree murder conviction in the death of her 18-month-old son.

A professed vegan, Sheila O’Leary, 38, was convicted in June after her son Ezra died from “complications from severe malnutrition and dehydration.”

“This child did not eat. He was starved to death over 18 months,” Francine Donnorummo, the special victims unit chief at the Lee County State Attorney’s Office, testified during the trial.

The toddler died on Sept. 27, 2019. At the time of his death, he weighed only 17 pounds, according to an official report. In addition to the murder charge, O’Leary was convicted of aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter, child abuse and two counts of child neglect.

Her husband, Ryan Patrick O’Leary, awaits trial on the same charges. Sheila and Ryan were both indicted by a grand jury in Lee County, Florida, on Dec. 18. 2019.

Sheila O’Leary said her family maintains a strict diet of raw fruits and vegetables, although she and her husband told investigators that Ezra was also breast fed.

Sheila O’Leary’s three other children, ages 11, 5, and 3, “also suffered from extreme neglect and child abuse,” according to State Attorney Amira Fox’s office.

Sheila O’Leary has been ordered not to have any contact with them.