Court convicts parents of newborn baby who died from mushroom-only diet; No jail time

The parents of a 17-day-old baby who died from malnutrition were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by judges in Den Bosch on Tuesday. The newborn died in February 2024 after being fed a diet comprised primarily of mushrooms. The parents were given a two-year prison sentence, which was suspended as the parents have been in pre-trial custody for more than a year.

The Public Prosecution Service had previously demanded a six-year prison sentence, accusing the parents of manslaughter. However, the District Court for Oost-Brabant ruled that there was no intention to kill the child from Helvoirt, and determined that the parents genuinely believed they were taking proper care of their baby.

The child’s father, Robert G., called emergency number 112 on February 26, 2024, because his baby felt cold and was no longer breathing. Paramedics were unable to revive the child.

No doctors or specialists were present during the birth of the child, nor at any point during the pregnancy. There was very little baby food in the home, with the exception of numerous plastic containers filled with mushrooms.

Olekasandra G., the child’s mother, was also in severely malnourished, and weighed just 40 kilograms at one point. Since the mother could not produce sufficient breast milk, the baby was given mushrooms and soy powder mixed with demineralized water, a substance that is not safe for consumption.

According to the court, the parents made many bad choices and ignored multiple “red flags,” like the baby's continuous weight loss. Despite this, the court feels there is sufficient evidence that suggests the parents tried to keep the child alive.

The parents had a fascination with mushrooms and were convinced that this was what they and their baby needed. “There was no malicious intent or aggressive behavior involved,” the court stated.

The police discovered a deleted website belonging to the couple about the divine power of psilocybin mushrooms. Their deceased baby, “Psilo,” was also named after them. Experts have determined that both defendants suffer from delusional disorders and have diminished criminal responsibility.

“We thought that we were able to care for a child, but that was certainly not the case,” the mother admitted. The parents stated that they now realize they require more than just mushrooms in their diet, though they continue to avoid animal products.

Oleksandra G. also gave birth to an underdeveloped child in 2022, who was placed in foster care right after birth. She has now undergone sterilization.