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LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Just days before a 19-month-old Alberta boy was rushed to hospital and died from bacterial meningitis his family was giving him fluids through an eyedropper.

Court documents from the trial of David and Collet Stephan also indicate that Ezekiel’s body was so stiff and sore that he couldn’t be placed in a car seat.

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The Stephans are charged with failing to provide the necessities of life for Ezekiel in 2012.

The boy, who had been given smoothies with hot peppers and horseradish when he became ill with what his parents thought was croup, stopped breathing and died in hospital.

“They also ensured he was getting plenty of fluids with the eyedropper, as he would not drink on his own, and they additionally started him on (an electrolyte and amino acid supplement),” wrote Dr. Jenn D’Mello in her assessment of the case.

“On March 11th (2012), Ezekiel’s symptoms worsened again. He would not eat or drink, was lethargic and they noticed his body to be very stiff. These symptoms persisted on March 12th and he started being so stiff that his back was arched.”