A trial is underway for a Calgary couple accused of first degree murder in the death of their son.
59 year old Emil Radita and 53 year old Rodica Radita were arrested in February 2014.
In May 2013, Alexandru Radita died in the family’s home which was located in Citadel in northwest Calgary.
An autopsy determined the 15 year old died from complications due to untreated diabetes and starvation.
Court heard Alexandru weighed only 15 kilograms and was covered in sores and was wearing a diaper at the time of his death.
He was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was three years old while the family lived in British Columbia.
The crown told court Alexandru was taken to a B.C. hospital three times because of complications from improper treatment of his diabetes and after one incident he was placed in foster care and began attending school and doing well.
He was returned to his parents’ care in 2005 under the supervision of B.C. Child and family Services.
The family moved to Alberta and after that Alexandru never saw a doctor or attended school as he and his eight siblings were registered for home schooling.
All of his siblings, including two who were minors, were all in good condition at the time of his death.
The crown accuses Alexandru’s parents of confining him to his room and failing to provide him with insulin, food, or medical care until he died.
The crown told court that in 2010 pharmacy records show a decline in the amount of diabetes medication purchased by the Radita family and that by 2013 they didn’t buy any as all medication was covered under Alberta Health Services.
The crown’s first witness, Calgary police Constable Troy Cheyne, described photos from Alexandru’s room which included a container for needles and diapers.
The trial is scheduled to last four weeks.
