An 18-month old child has died because her parents chose homeopathy and herbal supplements instead of proper medical care for an ear infection.
Ebed S. Delozier, 29, and Christine E. Delozier, 34, both of Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of children this week, after an investigation showed they knowingly chose not to get their daughter medical attention when she most needed it. When the father finally brought the sick child to the hospital back in March, it was too late. The coroner promptly contacted police, sparking the investigation.
From the Rocket-Courier:
Criminal investigators were told by a registered nurse on staff that the victim’s mother, Christine Delozier, and aunt, Rebecca Delozier, arrived at the hospital shortly after the victim. The nurse said that the victim’s parents made it clear they were against antibiotics and other chemicals associated with modern medicine.
While emergency room staff worked on the toddler, who was not breathing, the nurse said she overheard Christine Delozier making statements such as, “You’re putting holes in her” and, “You’re putting chemicals in her.”
According to the investigation, the child had the ear infection for two weeks while the parents treated her with homeopathy techniques and herbal “medicine.” The child, Hope Delozier (pictured above), could have been cured with a simple dose of common antibiotics. Instead, she contracted streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis as a result of the infection.
The Deloziers were known to be vocal about their rejection of modern medical care. Christine allegedly came from a family that eschewed modern medicine as well. According to an interview with WNEP, she claimed that her “strong religious beliefs” influenced her decisions in regards to seeking medical care for Hope.
Watch a report on the story from WNEP:
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