Naturopath Marilyn Bodnar leaves Campbelltown Local Court with her lawyer. Photo: Nick Moir

A mother, who was placed on a raw food and water-only diet that almost caused her breastfeeding baby boy to starve to death, will plead guilty to failing to provide for her child.

The 33-year-old woman, who cannot be identified, sought advice from Leppington naturopath Marilyn Bodnar about her baby's eczema and was eventually convinced to go on a restricted raw food diet.

A police statement tendered in court states that Ms Bodnar, 59, told the mother, during a massage appointment in February 2015 that there was a cure for her son's condition and she could treat it.

Naturopath Marilyn Bodnar leaves Campbelltown Local Court. Photo: Nick Moir

The mother thought the diet was "too strict" and didn't pay too much attention to what Ms Bodnar, who ran her Health and Vitality Centre business from home, was saying.

Over the next two months, police allege Ms Bodnar convinced the mother she could cure her baby's eczema and made her feel guilty for using steroid creams for her son's condition.

Ms Bodnar, a former nurse and midwife, convinced the mother it was best to use nothing to allow the baby's skin to breathe.

She also advised her to go on a "raw only diet" to alkaline her milk to her breast-feeding baby, which would "help heal him faster by eliminating the toxins out of his body", police allege.

The mother cancelled a follow-up appointment with a dermatologist and followed the 100 per cent raw diet of fruits, vegetables and seeds.

She was told that cooking the food would kill the enzymes.


The baby's skin became dry after his mother stopped using the steroid creams but Ms Bodnar told her again not to use anything except aloe vera plant juice.

Ms Bodnar allegdly attempted to pin the blame on the mother for her son's eczema because of all the "rubbish" she ate during her pregnancy and for having antibiotics during labour.

"Are you 100 per cent raw? You have to be 100 per cent raw if you want to see your son heal," Ms Bodnar allegedly told the mother.

The baby boy came down with a fever in May 2015, and Ms Bodnar told the mother to go on a water only diet, police allege.

"You're not allowed to eat anything if you want to see him better," she allegedly advised the mother.

Police say that the mother was feeling pressure and could not just drink water, so she ate only watermelon for three days.

She felt guilty as she thought she was poisoning her child but felt constantly tired.

When both mother and baby started losing weight, Ms Bodnar assured them it was normal and the baby was fat and needed to lose some weight.

At this point, the baby was six months old and his mother noticed he wasn't developing any more nor moving around as much.

Ms Bodnar allegedly made the mother feel guilty that she didn't care about his health and was giving up too easily by wanting to give him solid food.

When the baby started vomiting, Ms Bodnar told the mother to stay on a water-only diet and "increased temperature means increased vitality".

The mother took the baby to hospital after going to a doctor in May 2015.

By this point, the baby had sunken eyes, infected eczema, dehydration and severe failure to thrive.

The baby would have died in a few days had he not been taken to hospital, police said.

Police alleged that, as a result of Ms Bodnar's treatment, the baby nearly died and might have long-term developmental problems.

Campbelltown Local Court heard on Friday the mother would plead guilty to failing to provide for her child and causing danger of death.

A charge of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm charge would be withdrawn and her case was adjourned to July.

Ms Bodnar, supported by her husband, also appeared in Campbelltown Local Court, but in a separate case, on Friday.

She has pleaded not guilty to recklessly causing the boy grievous bodily ham and failing to provide for the child and causing danger of death.

Her case was adjourned to May 26.