Negligence charges laid against Calgary mom who used holistic treatment before son died
Police say son died from what would have been a treatable illness
The Calgary Police Service lead 44-year-old Tamara Lovett, charged in connection with the death of her son, in Calgary, Alta November 22, 2013. On Saturday, March 2, 2013, emergency crews were called to a basement suite in the 900 block of 17 Avenue S.W., for a report of a seven-year-old boy having a seizure. The child was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Due to the boy’s condition when he arrived at hospital, the Service’s Homicide Unit was called to investigate. Jim Wells/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Police say a woman gave her bedridden seven-year-old son holistic treatment before he succumbed to what would have been a treatable illness.
Friday, 44-year-old Tamara Lovett was arrested, later charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life in connection with the death of Ryan Lovett.
It is a legal requirement for a parent or guardian to provide food, shelter, care and medical attention necessary to sustain life and protect children from harm.
But in this case, Staff Sgt. Mike Cavilla said the mother opted for alternative medicine, like herbal remedies, despite numerous friends and family urging her to take the boy to a doctor.
“There was a belief system in homeopathic treatments,” he said.
“There were a couple of friends in that ten days who did urge her to seek medical help ... the mother refused to take the child.
“Under the Criminal Code ... if you do not provide medical attention to a sick child you could be held accountable.”
Lovett called EMS to her basement suite in the 900 block of 17 Ave. S.W. on March 2, 2013, saying her child, Ryan, was having a seizure.
Emergency crews arrived to find the boy in cardiac arrest.
Police allege the Grade 2 student was at home, bedridden for 10 days prior to that with what was later identified as a strep infection.
Strep infections are often treatable with medication such as penicillin.
Although it was not only the single mother who saw him deteriorating, no one contacted authorities.
“I think there is a moral responsibility, if you see a child in medical (or any other distress) to make a phone call to police or child and family services to notify people there may be a problem,” Cavilla said.
Paul Hughes, friends with Lovett for more than 20 years and whose son was friends with Ryan, said the allegations are shocking.
“That kid was so full of life and Tamara was an amazing mom,” he said Friday.
“This woman is not a monster. She was a loving mother.
“She was already in prison in her own mind.”
He said the allegations are upsetting.
“It’s a tough one,” he said.
“Hindsight is 20/20. Oh, man, I just wish we could turn back the clock.”
Cavilla said police found no evidence the child in his seven years had ever had medical attention.
“Speaking to medical professionals, they said if treated this could have been prevented,” Cavilla said, adding he hopes the case serves as warning for others who might deny their children medical care.
“The simple message is, if your child is sick take them to a doctor.”
Ryan, who had been home-schooled by his mother for years, was enrolled in school about two months before his death.
Negligence charges laid against Calgary mom who used holistic treatment before son died | Calgary | News | Calgary Sun
So very sad and tragic. I feel both deep sorrow for this woman but also incredible anger at her too.
Police say son died from what would have been a treatable illness
The Calgary Police Service lead 44-year-old Tamara Lovett, charged in connection with the death of her son, in Calgary, Alta November 22, 2013. On Saturday, March 2, 2013, emergency crews were called to a basement suite in the 900 block of 17 Avenue S.W., for a report of a seven-year-old boy having a seizure. The child was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Due to the boy’s condition when he arrived at hospital, the Service’s Homicide Unit was called to investigate. Jim Wells/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Police say a woman gave her bedridden seven-year-old son holistic treatment before he succumbed to what would have been a treatable illness.
Friday, 44-year-old Tamara Lovett was arrested, later charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life in connection with the death of Ryan Lovett.
It is a legal requirement for a parent or guardian to provide food, shelter, care and medical attention necessary to sustain life and protect children from harm.
But in this case, Staff Sgt. Mike Cavilla said the mother opted for alternative medicine, like herbal remedies, despite numerous friends and family urging her to take the boy to a doctor.
“There was a belief system in homeopathic treatments,” he said.
“There were a couple of friends in that ten days who did urge her to seek medical help ... the mother refused to take the child.
“Under the Criminal Code ... if you do not provide medical attention to a sick child you could be held accountable.”
Lovett called EMS to her basement suite in the 900 block of 17 Ave. S.W. on March 2, 2013, saying her child, Ryan, was having a seizure.
Emergency crews arrived to find the boy in cardiac arrest.
Police allege the Grade 2 student was at home, bedridden for 10 days prior to that with what was later identified as a strep infection.
Strep infections are often treatable with medication such as penicillin.
Although it was not only the single mother who saw him deteriorating, no one contacted authorities.
“I think there is a moral responsibility, if you see a child in medical (or any other distress) to make a phone call to police or child and family services to notify people there may be a problem,” Cavilla said.
Paul Hughes, friends with Lovett for more than 20 years and whose son was friends with Ryan, said the allegations are shocking.
“That kid was so full of life and Tamara was an amazing mom,” he said Friday.
“This woman is not a monster. She was a loving mother.
“She was already in prison in her own mind.”
He said the allegations are upsetting.
“It’s a tough one,” he said.
“Hindsight is 20/20. Oh, man, I just wish we could turn back the clock.”
Cavilla said police found no evidence the child in his seven years had ever had medical attention.
“Speaking to medical professionals, they said if treated this could have been prevented,” Cavilla said, adding he hopes the case serves as warning for others who might deny their children medical care.
“The simple message is, if your child is sick take them to a doctor.”
Ryan, who had been home-schooled by his mother for years, was enrolled in school about two months before his death.
Negligence charges laid against Calgary mom who used holistic treatment before son died | Calgary | News | Calgary Sun
So very sad and tragic. I feel both deep sorrow for this woman but also incredible anger at her too.