The Diet Of A Baby Girl Named IIce - 1825 Words

Introduction Parents Joseph and Silva Swinton had their first child a baby girl named IIce. IIce was delivered at home without a doctor, nurse or midwife present. IIce was born 3 months premature, weighing only 3 pounds and suffered from respiratory difficulties. Still she received no medical attention. Silvia Swinton had once weighed more than 300 pounds. She dropped to the normal weight by committing to a strict vegan diet. The diet consisted of vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts; but eliminated meats, fish, milk and cheese. Joseph Swinton also adapted this vegan diet and they mutually decided to place IIce on the same diet. They believed the diet improved their health and prevented chronic conditions associated with obesity.†¦show more content†¦The doctors placed her on a medically prescribed diet. Later both children were given physician approved vegetarian diets. The Queens District Attorney’s Office charged the Swinton’s with first-degree assault, claiming the parents knew or should have known the diet would endanger IIce’s life. Also they had failed to seek medical attention. The opposing side’s lawyer argued that IIce being premature was the main cause of IIce’s medical state. The Swinton’s argued they did care for their child, they did not intentionally harm her and should not be deprived of their parental rights. The jury of the New York Supreme Court found the Swinton’s guilty of first-degree assault as well as lesser charges of reckless endangerment and endangerment of the welfare of a child to the first-degree. At the age of three years old, IIce was well nourished and was beginning to develop more than normally. However, IIce suffered from permanent neurological damage due to prematurity and malnutrition. Ethical Principles The ethical principles involved include: Autonomy, Finality, Justice, Non-maleficence, Utility, Tolerance and Rationality. These principles can be applied to the case as a whole or to specific events that unfolded. In respect to IIce, non-maleficence was violated when she was in the care of her parents. Her parents refused to seek medical attention when they found out she was premature, had respiratory difficulties, or did not respond well to the vegan