Vegan mother in Florida starved her child to death: she was sentenced to life in prison

Sheila O'Leary, 38, a Florida vegan mother convicted of starving her 18-month-old son to death after feeding him only raw fruits and vegetables, has been sentenced to life in prison. New York Post.

Photo: IStock

She learned of her fate on August 19 after her sentencing hearing was adjourned four times. In late June, she was convicted of the premeditated murder of her son Ezra O'Leary in 2019.

The Cape Coral woman was also sentenced to two 30-year sentences for aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child, and an additional five years for child abuse and child neglect. These terms must be served at the same time.

Judge Bruce Kyle told O'Leary, who stood silently in a red prison jumpsuit, not to make contact with her surviving children.

O'Leary's lawyer said after the hearing that he intends to appeal the verdict.

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Her husband, 33-year-old Ryan O'Leary, remains in prison awaiting trial on the same charges.

In early August, additional charges were filed against the father for sexually assaulting a victim under the age of 12, and for indecent and lascivious behavior towards a victim under the age of 12.

Investigators said the O'Learys told them the family ate only raw fruits and vegetables, although Ezra was also breastfed.

The police report says the 18-month-old boy weighed 7kg—3kg below average—and was about the size of a 7-month-old when he died in September 2019.

An autopsy revealed that little Ezra died from complications due to malnutrition.

This child has not eaten. He was starving to death for 18 months,” Francine Donnorummo, chief of special assignments at the Lee County Attorney's Office, said during Sheila O'Leary's trial.

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O'Leary and her husband had two other children, ages 3 and 5, who also suffered from malnutrition, investigators said. Court records show that a fourth child, aged 11, was returned to her biological father during an earlier malnutrition case in Virginia.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• A vegan family from Cape Coral, Florida, starved her 18 month old son.
• Mother from Florida found guilty in the murder of his 18-month-old son. She fed him only raw fruits and vegetables.

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