Florida Mother Found Guilty of Murder in Starvation Death of 18-Month-Old Son

Florida mother Sheila O’Leary, 38, was found guilty of first-degree murder and multiple other charges related to the starvation death of her 18-month-old son in September 2019.

The child, 18-month-old Ezra O’Leary, died in his sleep in Cape Coral, Florida in September 2019. The toddler weighed 17 pounds at the time of his death, seven pounds under the average weight for a child his age. Evidence showed he suffered from malnutrition and dehydration.

Three other children in the home, aged 3, 5, and 11, were also suffering from malnutrition and dehydration.

Sheila O’Leary and her husband Ryan O’Leary, 33, were both arrested and told police about their vegan diet which consisted only of raw fruits and vegetables. They also fed their son breast milk but hadn’t eaten in the week prior to his death. Both O’Leary’s were indicted in December 2019.

Prosecutor Francine Donnorummo told those in a Lee County courtroom that the O’Leary’s failed to give medical care to their child and how “Her pride cost Ezra his life,” in reference to Sheila.

Prosecutor Donnorummo also told the court how her eldest child was diagnosed with “failure to thrive” and ordered to go to parenting classes by Virginia Child Protective Services before she moved to Florida.

Sheila O’Leary was found guilty last week on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter, child abuse, and two counts of child neglect. She faces life in prison and will be sentenced on July 25.

Ryan O’Leary will face these same charges when his trial begins likely towards the end of the year.