WARNING: This story contains content some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is strongly advised.
An expert in pediatric medicine testified Tuesday in the trial of Emil and Rodica Radita, who have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of their diabetic son, Alex.
Dr. Robert White said there were ongoing issues with Rodica in treating her son.
READ MORE: Radita trial hears no money spent on insulin the year diabetic boy died
The 15-year-old weighed just 37 pounds when he was found dead in his parents northwest Calgary home May 7, 2013.
White first saw Alex Radita in December 2000, when Alex was just shy of his third birthday.
READ MORE: ‘The child was dead, and now is alive’ – Parents of Alex Radita told friends of ‘resurrection’
White was called in after the emergency physician at a B.C. hospital suspected the child had Type 1 diabetes.
“He was quite ill. He was complaining of severe abdominal pain.”
White said Alex’s mother was at his bedside and was upset with the diagnosis.
Watch below: Global’s ongoing coverage of the trial of Emil and Rodica Radita
“This was distressing to the family–the mother specifically,” he said.
“That was almost the first thing that was said to me, that the doctor jumped to this conclusion without blood work.”
White said he tried to help Rodica understand the diagnosis and Alex’s condition, adding a “plethora” of blood and urine tests confirmed the diagnosis. Still, he said she continued to express concern and challenged the doctors.
“She and God we’re going to prove us wrong. God was going to make him better.”
READ MORE: Diabetic teen filled with infection, covered in ulcers, court hears during parents’ murder trial
For months, the doctor said Alex made some progress. He said Alex’s parents appeared more willing to comply, yet they still struggled with dietary issues.
In October 2003 Alex was again hospitalized in B.C., and once again the emergency physician asked White to treat the child.
“He was so ill,” White said.
“They were quite taken aback by how sick he was. He was so sick when he came in that time and I was taken aback myself.”
White testified he felt emotional seeing Alex’s condition.
When he questioned Rodica about what led to his condition, he said the mother disclosed she had drastically altered Alex’s care.
The doctor testified he had to clear his airway and found Alex had been force fed.
“I had to remove a large chunk of hot dog stuffed in his esophagus,” White said as he described finding undigested, unchewed meat.
The doctor said he was very concerned about Alex.
He also admitted he felt Rodica loved her son.
An autopsy revealed Alex died from a bacterial sepsis (Staphyloccus Aureus) from complications of neglect and starvation.
He was found wearing only a T-shirt and a diaper at the time of his death, and was covered in ulcers.
Alex’s body was filled with infection, and had bacteria everywhere from his kidneys to his adrenal glands, his spleen and blood stream.
Below: Photos of Alex Radita on his 15th birthday, taken just months before his death