WARNING: This story contains content some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is strongly advised.
A pediatric endocrinologist testified Wednesday in the trial of two parents accused of killing their teenage son, telling court the 15-year-old didn’t seem like he received “proper care for his diabetes.”
Emil and Rodica Radita were arrested in February 2014 and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the trial by judge alone on Tuesday.
Scroll down to read our live blog, which will be updated with key testimony from court throughout the week
READ MORE: Calgary parents accused of not treating diabetic teen plead not guilty to first-degree murder
Police allege they denied Alex (Alexandru) Radita treatment for diabetes, which ultimately killed him. Court heard Tuesday Alex, 15, weighed 37 pounds when he died.
Dr. Daniele Pacaud testified Wednesday as an expert in diabetes in children. She said she reviewed documents and photos regarding the case and concluded the boy was in a “severe state of malnutrition.”
She told the court Alex “seemed to have not been provided with the proper care for his diabetes.”
Dr. Pacaud will continue testifying Thursday.
Watch below: Global’s Jill Croteau was in court on the first day of the first-degree murder trial of Emil and Rodica Radita
A paramedic testified Tuesday Emil Radita told her he called EMS four hours after he found his son lying in bed, emaciated and cold to the touch.
Police were called to the Radita home in the community of Citadel on May 7, 2013.
An autopsy revealed Radita died from a bacterial sepsis (Staphyloccus Aureus) from complications of neglect and starvation, due to the Type 1 diabetes.
Court documents show Alex had previously been removed from the Raditas’ British Columbia home by child welfare because the parents weren’t properly treating the diabetes. A judge later returned him to his parents’ care.
Calgary police allege Alex was not given the necessary treatment once the family moved to Alberta, and the teen’s health declined to the extent that he was confined to his room and subsequently died.
The trial is scheduled to last five weeks.
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