WARNING: This story contains content some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is strongly advised.
Alex Radita looked like a “skeleton” when police arrived at his parents northwest Calgary home May 7, 2013 court heard Wednesday.
The 15-year-old weighed just 37 pounds when he was found dead.
The first police officer to respond testified Wednesday. He said he could see every one of Alex’s ribs and thought the teen weighed just 20 pounds.
The boy’s parents, Emil and Rodica Radita, are on trial accused of first-degree murder in connection with his death.
READ MORE: Calgary parents accused of not treating diabetic teen plead not guilty to first-degree murder
The prosecution alleges the couple intended to kill their son by denying him treatment for his diabetes.
READ MORE: Crown alleges Calgary parents accused of not treating diabetic son knew it could kill him
The medical investigator first sent to the Radita home, Shauna Mitchell, testified there were numerous people praying when she arrived.
The couple told first responders Alex was breathing when they checked on him at 6 p.m. that night, four hours before EMS was called.
But court heard he may have been dead up to 36 hours before anyone called for help.
When the Radita’s were asked about Alex’s medical history, investigators were initially told he had no chronic health problems, but was sick for three days with a sore throat and diarrhea for one month.
But after further questioning, Rodica conceded her son had been diagnosed with diabetes at age three.
Court heard Rodica didn’t believe the diagnosis but she told investigators she gave him insulin anyway.
An autopsy revealed Radita died from a bacterial sepsis (Staphyloccus Aureus) from complications of neglect and starvation, due to Type 1 diabetes
The trial continues Thursday with testimony from the medical examiner.
Below: Photos of Alex Radita on his 15th birthday, taken just months before his death