CALGARY – Police have charged the parents of a teen who died last year after he was found in medical distress in his Citadel home.
Emergency crews rushed to a home in the 100 block of Citadel Dr. N.W. on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.
When they arrived on scene, crews found a teenage boy in medical distress. He was later pronounced dead.
An autopsy determined 15-year-old Alex Radita died from a bacterial infection, which he contracted due to complications from neglect and starvation from Type 1 diabetes.
The victim had been diagnosed with diabetes several years before while living in B.C., but police allege his parents failed to help him get treatment.
His health declined to the point that he was confined to his room. Police say he did not have a family doctor.
“This boy had suffered from long term neglect to the point that he was unable to seek medical on his own,” says S/Sgt. Grant Miller. “And it is their responsibility to provide that for him.”
“When you care for a child or a loved one and they’re sick, you need to take them to the doctor,” adds Miller. “Home medicines and home thoughts don’t substitute for modern medicine.”
Although police don’t yet know the parents’ motive for not providing medical treatment, they don’t believe it was based on religious beliefs.
On Tuesday, police arrested the victim’s parents, Rodica and Emil Radita. They have been formally charged with first degree murder.
The boy’s condition was so extreme, that first-responders were offered counselling to deal with what they saw when they arrived on scene.
“We did seek peer support and provided counseling opportunities for all of the first responders and anyone that was inside that house, and saw that boy in the condition that he was found,” says S/Sgt. Grant Miller.
Police say the family has eight children, most of whom are adults.
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