Article content

What do you do with a couple like the Stephans? What sentence is appropriate for two loving parents whose belief in natural medicine contributed to their son’s death?

David and Collet Stephan spent much of this week in court in Lethbridge, Alta., as a judge listened to the arguments that would decide their fate. In April, they were convicted of failing to provide the necessaries of life in the 2012 death of their toddler son Ezekiel from bacterial meningitis. It’s a charge that carries a punishment of up to five years in prison.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Jen Gerson: Two martyrs and one child victim for the anti-vaccination cause Back to video

Friday, Justice Rodney Jerke sentenced the couple, who still have three young children, to custody. Collet Stephan is expected to serve three months under house arrest. Her husband was deemed to have greater moral culpability and was sentenced to four months in prison.

Even though the parents clearly had no intent to harm their son, and grieved him, the judge noted their lack of remorse for their actions. Indeed, ever since the verdict came down, the Stephans have parlayed a personal family tragedy into a conspiracy-driven PR opportunity, all furthering the cause of parental rights, natural health, and anti-vaccination arguments.