Couple Guilty in Child Malnourishment Case
A vegan couple were convicted and will spend at least five years in prison for not seeking care for their malnourished child, who weighed 10 pounds at age 15 months.
Joseph and Silva Swinton, both 32, showed no emotion in State Supreme Court in Queens when the jury forewoman pronounced them guilty of assault, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.
“Tell Ice and Ini that I love them,†Silva Swinton -- referring to the couple’s daughter, now nearly 3, and son, age 8 months -- yelled to her supporters.
The baby had no teeth, had rickets and was too weak to move her arms and legs or even cry, witnesses testified.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.