THE COUPLE who tried to cure their 19-month-old son of bacterial meningitis with maple syrup and other “natural remedies” were sentenced in court in Canada on Friday.

Justice Rodney Jerke sentenced David Stephan, 33, to four months in jail while his wife, Collet Stephan, 36, was given three months of house arrest.

The pair were found guilty in April of failing to provide proper medical treatment for their son Ezekiel after he fell ill with bacterial meningitis and died in March 2012. The Judge said the couple were “wilfully blind” to the boy’s grave condition.

In his decision, CTV News reports that Justice Jerke acknowledged that the couple loved their son and felt deeply sorry for his death, but said they have not taken personal responsibility for their failure.

“You have affected many people ... your conduct has left an unerasable and chilling impact on all of us,” Justice Jerke told the couple.

“This case was about whether parents, who failed to take a sick boy to a doctor, should be held criminally responsible. The trial was not about vaccination. This is far beyond a child who simply has the sniffles.”

The judge singled out David Stephan, who has openly criticised the court system over the case, and said he does not believe the father feels sorry for his actions.

During the trial, the court was shown an interview between Mr Stephan and producers of the documentary Vaxxed. In the video, the father called the case “a parental rights issue” and said his family had been unfairly targeted.

“Mr Stephan’s post-conviction actions demonstrate a complete lack of remorse,” the judge said. “To this day he refuses to admit his actions had any impact.”

Justice Jerke ordered the parents to take their three children to a family doctor once each year and ordered Collet Stephan to publish his complete sentencing decision on a Facebook page titled Prayers for Ezekiel.

The couple were first charged in February 2013 and Mr Stephan released a statement saying Ezekiel’s health appeared to improve before it quickly deteriorated.

He told Canadian paper the Calgary Herald: “Like any other good parents, we attended to the matter and treated him accordingly to standard practices and recommendations like millions of parents do each year.”

The couple pleaded not guilty to failing to provide the necessities of life for their son and posted on social media that they were being unfairly persecuted and that their approach to health and medicine should be respected.

After Ezekiel became ill, the couple gave their son homemade remedies such as apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and horseradish root — instead of seeking advice from healthcare professionals.

They were also said to have used hot peppers, mashed onion, and garlic and ginger root mixtures as his condition worsened.

A family friend who works in nursing told the parents she thought Ezekiel had meningitis, but the couple did not seek medical assistance.

Prosecutors told the jury Ezekiel had been ravaged by meningitis for two weeks, but his parents only called for medical help when he stopped breathing.

The toddler died in hospital after five days on life support.

The couple allegedly also treated Ezekiel with Empowerplus — a product made by Truehope Nutritional Support.

It has been reported that Mr Stephan owns the company, but the firm have dismissed the claim and say he is just an employee there.

The Stephan’s claim Empowerplus can help people with bipolar disorder, the court heard.

Health Canada launched an unsuccessful court case to stop the distribution of the company’s supplement in 2004 and issued warnings about it.

In an audiotape played to the court the couple are allegedly heard telling a police officer they prefer natural remedies over traditional healthcare.

They are also heard saying that the family has had negative experiences with the medical system.

A crowd of supporters waved signs and shouted “I love you!” outside the courthouse on Friday as they greeted the Stephans prior to the sentencing, according to the CTV News report.

Mr Stephan thanked them for coming out and accused “misinformation” of turning others against his family.

After the decision came down, Mr Stephan’s brother spoke to reporters outside the courthouse.

“Obviously we’re saddened by the whole process but we’re extremely grateful that there was some leniency granted,” said Eric Sveinson.

Crown lawyer Lisa Weich would not say whether she thought the punishment was sufficient, and said fighting for Ezekiel was her priority.

“Unfortunately, nobody can speak for him. He couldn’t even speak for himself. That was at the forefront of our thoughts as we went through.”

With The Sun UK.