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July 3, 2008 - 6:15PM
Updated: July 3, 2008 - 7:29PM
Vegan dad convicted of child abuse
Mike Sakal, Tribune
A Scottsdale man accused of starving his three young children to the point where they were severely malnourished in 2005 could face probation or up to 16 years in prison.
Scottsdale mom gets 30 years in prison for starving kids
A jury found Blair Parker, 38, guilty of two felony counts of negligent child abuse and one felony count of reckless child abuse in Maricopa County Superior Court on Thursday, more than three years after his arrest.
The verdict comes nearly a year after Parker's wife, Kimu Parker, 38, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for intentionally and knowingly underfeeding the children, two girls ages 3 and 11, and a 9-year-old boy.
Blair Parker's sentencing date is set for Aug. 14 before Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Roland Steinle.
Blair Parker and his wife maintained they were keeping the children on a strict vegan diet - avoiding meat, poultry, dairy and fish.
However, authorities said in 2005 that the children were underfed and mistreated and deprived of meals as punishment.
The Parkers had sought medical attention for their 3-year-old daughter on April 23, 2005, after she stopped eating and was having seizures and cold sweats. But they did not call 911 for several hours as they attempted to help her by trying their own natural and homeopathic treatments, according to court records.
A social worker at Phoenix Children's Hospital examined the child and called police, who found the other two emaciated children in the family home in Scottsdale.
All three children were removed from the home by Child Protective Services and placed in foster homes.
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