Vegan Florida mother convicted of starving toddler to death with strict raw fruits, vegetables diet

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A vegan mother is facing life in prison for murdering her 18-month-old child who starved to death on a strict raw fruit and vegetable diet. 

A Florida jury convicted Sheila O’Leary, 39, on Wednesday of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter, child abuse and two counts of child neglect in the death of her son, Ezra.

Ezra weighed 17 pounds – seven pounds below average – when he died in his sleep in 2019.

Sheila O'Leary is facing life in prison. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

Following Ezra’s death, Sheila and her husband, Ryan, told authorities that the family followed a strict vegan diet limited to "only raw fruits and vegetables" and "breast milk," according to News Press.

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At the time of Ezra’s death, their three other children – all under the age of 11 – were suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. 

O’Leary told detectives that her son did not eat for a week and that he was "having trouble sleeping the night prior to his death."

During the Lee County trial on Wednesday, prosecutor Francine Donnorummo, special victims unit chief at the state attorney's office, used O’Leary’s Google searches at the time Ezra’s health declined as evidence against her. 

Ryan faces trial later this year.  (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

Donnorummo emphasized Ezra’s condition was chronic as O’Leary failed to provide her child with food and health care, according to News Press.

"This was a thought-out, planned course of action," Donnorummo said. "Ignorance is not a defense in this case."

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Defense attorney Lee Hollander then addressed the jury, showing photos of Sheila and Ezra. 

"Does that look like a mom who wants to kill her kid?" Hollander asked. "Just because it happened doesn’t mean she committed a crime."

The 18-month-old was only allowed to eat raw fruits and vegetables.  (iStock)

In closing arguments, co-prosecutor Sara Miller, an assistant state attorney, addressed jurors and indicated the crime was not that Ezra died in his sleep, but that O’Leary refused to get her child medical help. 

"She chose to disregard Ezra's suffering," Miller said.

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Sheila O'Leary faces sentencing later this month.

Ryan O’Leary, 33, was indicted on the same charges and is expected to stand trial later this year.