CALGARY — A 44-year-old Calgary woman has been charged after her son died of an infection that police allege was treated with holistic remedies instead of antibiotic medication.
Tamara Sophia Lovett was charged Friday with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life for her son, Ryan.
Last March, emergency crews were called to a home for a report of a seven-year-old boy having a seizure. The child was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Detectives allege the boy was suffering from a treatable illness but was not taken for medical attention despite his deteriorating condition.
An autopsy revealed he died as a result of a strep infection, which is often treatable with medication such as penicillin.
The child’s grandfather, Donn Lovett, a well-known political organizer in Calgary Liberal circles, said police have made a mistake.
“The facts just don’t line up,” he said in a statement to CTV Calgary. “Ryan had flu-like symptoms and seemed to be getting better even the day before he died. You wouldn’t rush your child to the hospital for flu-like symptoms.”
He also said his daughter had no problems seeking conventional medical care.
“Tamara would never, ever, ever do anything to put him in harm’s way. He was the most loved and respected child you could ever possible imagine.”