Dad convicted in 'vegan' diet case

PHOENIX, July 4 (UPI) -- An Arizona jury has convicted a Scottsdale man of negligent child abuse and reckless child abuse for feeding his children an extreme vegetarian diet.

Testimony in the trial of Blair Parker indicated that he and his wife, Kimu, fed their children a diet that excluded meat, fish and dairy products, and that the children were given enemas, The Arizona Republic reported.

The couple were charged in 2005 after their 3-year-old daughter suffered an apparent seizure. Doctors found that she weighed 13 pounds. Her 11-year-old sister was the size of a 5-year-old and her 9-year-old brother was the size of a 3-year-old.

Parker testified that his dietary knowledge came from university studies and said he consulted with a Washington state naturopath because he could not find a doctor he trusted who shared his religious faith or dietary beliefs. The naturopath was unable to examine the children, he said.

Parker said the children could not absorb nutrients but prosecutors said Parker obsessed over the children's bowel movements and gave them enemas that impeded nutrient absorption.

He said the children's daily regimen included prayer, study, chores and exercise.

"My children might have been short and light in weight, but I never considered they were unhealthy," he said.

Parker could be sentenced to as much as 16 years in prison following Thursday's verdict, the newspaper said. His wife was convicted last year of intentional child abuse and given a mandatory 30-year sentence.

Prosecutors said the children have been placed in foster care and had gained weight on vegan diets.