Vegan Couple Gets Life for Starving Baby

A vegan couple were given life sentences in the death of their six-week-old baby boy, who weighed only three-and-a-half pounds and died of starvation after being fed a diet of mostly soy milk and apple juice. The life sentences were mandatory for their convictions of malice murder, felony murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children.

Jade Sanders, 27, and Lamont Thomas, 31, were found guilty of the death of their son, Crown Shakur (pictured), May 2 after a jury deliberated seven hours.

Their attorney argued that the couple did the best the could while trying to adhere to their vegan lifestyle, which avoids all animal products. The attorney said they did not realize the baby was in trouble until minutes before he died.

But prosecutors argued that the couple intentionally neglected their child and refused to take him to the doctor.

"No matter how many times they want to say, 'We're vegans, we're vegetarians,' that's not the issue in this case," said prosecutor Chuck Boring. "The child died because he was not fed. Period."

See Also:
Vegan Couple Sentenced to Life Over Baby's Death

Free Newsletter:
Get the Crime & Punishment Newsletter

More Information:
How to Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

More Crime News:
Top Stories
Current Investigations and Trials
Daily Crime Headlines

^{Photo: Family Photo}