A southern Alberta father convicted in the death of his 18-month-old son said his conviction has left him concerned for Canadians.
David Stephan, 32, and his wife Collet Stephan, 35, were found guilty of failing to provide the necessaries of life on Tuesday in connection with the death of their son Ezekiel, who died of meningitis in March 2012.
During their trial, court heard the couple thought the boy had croup or flu and treated him for over two weeks with home remedies that included hot peppers, garlic, onions and horseradish, even though a family friend who was a nurse told them she thought Ezekiel had meningitis.
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On Wednesday, David Stephan posted a letter to the jury on his Facebook page.
“I only wish that you could’ve seen how you were being played by the crowns deception, drama and trickery that not only led to our key witnesses being muzzled, but has also now led to a dangerous precedent being set in Canada. The flood gates have now been opened and if we do not fall in line with parenting as seen fit by the government, we all stand in risk of criminal prosecution,” he wrote.
“The flood gates have now been opened and my main concern is no longer for Collet and I, but rather for Canadian’s as a whole,” David added.
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The maximum penalty for failing to provide the necessaries of life is five years in prison.
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A sentencing date is scheduled to be set in June.
BELOW: Read David Stephan’s complete Facebook post
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– With files from Tony Tighe and The Canadian Press
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