A vegan mom whose son starved to death on a strict diet has been sentenced to life in prison

• Sheila O'Leary was found guilty of first degree murder following the death of her 18-month-old son.
• Investigators said the family only ate raw fruits and vegetables and the toddler hadn't eaten for a week prior to his death.

A Florida woman was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison after the 2019 death of her 18-month-old child, Ezra, who died from severe malnutrition and dehydration, the Florida State Attorney's office announced.

Sheila O'Leary and her husband Ryan O'Leary told investigators that their family only ate raw fruits and vegetables, and Ezra was also fed breast milk, the Fort Myers News-Press reported. But, the couple told investigators that Ezra hadn't eaten for a week before his death, the News-Press reported.

The state's attorney's office said evidence at Sheila O'Leary's trial "proved the child died due to complications from severe malnutrition and dehydration."

The couple's three other children, a 3-year-old, 5-year-old, and 11-year-old, were also the victims of "extreme neglect and child abuse," the State Attorney's office said.

Sheila O'Leary was sentenced to 30 years in prison for aggravated child abuse, 30 years in prison for aggravated manslaughter of a child, and five years in prison on counts of child abuse and child neglect, the state's attorney's office said.

Ryan O'Leary remains in jail and is facing the same charges as Sheila O'Leary in addition to two molestation charges, the News-Press reported.

Getting enough calories and nutrients is crucial for children

Vegan diets can be healthy, but may benefit from supplementation, particularly for kids, research suggests.

A 2021 study found that vegan children tended to have better heart health but stunted growth compared to their omnivore peers, possibly due to a lack of vitamin B and D as well as calcium.

Certain nutrients such as B vitamins are necessary for growing bodies and brains, and can be difficult to get enough of in plant foods, so supplements may help.

Unprocessed plant foods like raw fruits and veggies are low in both calories and protein. It's important for children to eat enough of both to fuel their activities and growth, whether they're vegan or not, according to the Mayo Clinic.