A Sydney mum who breastfed her baby while on a ‘water-only’ diet has avoided imprisonment despite her son almost dying of starvation.
The court heard that the 18-month-old boy suffered terribly from eczema and when conventional remedies had no effect, his mother – who cannot be identified – turned to naturopath Marilyn Bodnar for advice.
Police allege the mother, a trained midwife who was exclusively breastfeeding her son, was advised by Bodnar to eat only raw food, and eventually take ‘water only’.
When the baby boy was taken to hospital in May 2015 he was reportedly ‘days away from death’ and showed symptoms of dehydration and malnutrition.
Mother with defence lawyer, Richard Kouchoo
7News
Naturopath Marilyn Bodnar advised a diet of only water.
7News
Mr Guy says signs of deteriorate were impossible to ignore.
7News
Lawyer for the defence, Richard Kouchoo, says the mother was desperate to ease her son’s discomfort, and was herself victim to ‘opportunistic’ Bodnar.
Magistrate Ian Guy, meanwhile, said the case ‘demonstrates a serious example against [the mother’s] training and against the telltale signs which would have been blindingly obvious to anyone.’
The mother has been given a 14-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to failing to provide for her child. In handing down the sentence Mr Guy said the offending was ‘deeply concerning’.
Bodnar has been charged with reckless grievous bodily harm.
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