A COUPLE left their young son to die after he collapsed at home when they failed to treat his diabetes, a court heard.
Damion Thomas, 48, and Tamara Thomas, 45, allegedly “did nothing” as 12-year-old Joshua Thomas slipped into a coma.
Damion Thomas and Tamara Thomas are accused of leaving their son to dieCredit: BPM
Jurors heard the youngster suffered untreated and undiagnosed Type 1 , which led to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
The life-threatening condition, which requires urgent treatment, caused Joshua to become seriously ill, it was said.
On December 9, 2022, he became too weak to even make it to the downstairs toilet and wet himself.
Crown Court heard his parents, who have seven children, should have called for medical assistance but instead, Joshua lay unresponsive on the sofa.
It was not until the following day that Tamara finally called 999 when she noticed her son’s lips had turned white, foam was coming from his mouth and his breathing had become faint, jurors were told.
His parents later claimed he had been ill with cold-like symptoms for around two weeks prior to his collapse.
Miranda Moore KC, prosecuting, said: “The evidence shows he should have seen a doctor before his eventual collapse on December 9.
“He was asking for sweet drinks, he wasn’t himself, he was lethargic, he had lost weight.
“Both parents realised that at 4am when he wet himself on the landing. He had to be changed, put back to bed and couldn’t even walk downstairs.
“He couldn’t walk downstairs at 9am, when quite frankly he appears he was asleep or, as I say, in a coma on the sofa until cardiac arrest.
“Both parents knew the symptoms of diabetes. Mr Thomas lived through it. Mrs Thomas had seen her husband with it.
“At 4am they would have both recognised what he was exhibiting.”
The was told the couple were both certified teachers but neither were “fully employed” at the time of the tragedy,
They both homeschooled Joshua and did not trust Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Ms Moore told the jury Damion and Tamara’s attitude was to “avoid medical intervention for their family”.
On the day the teen collapsed, Damion was attending an interview for a new teaching job.
Ms Moore said both defendants would have also understood the “dangers of untreated diabetes” due to Damion’s own diagnosis
She continued: “What did they do? In short, nothing.
“Damion goes off to work, makes no checks on his son. Despite the number of times Tamara rang him, he didn’t answer the phone.”
Jurors heard Tamara finally spoke to the dad moments before she called for an ambulance.
But Damion later told he was unaware of what was happening until he came home and saw paramedics, it was said.
The prosecutor said: “What parent doesn’t check on their sick child? What parent doesn’t come home when their sick child is unresponsive?
“What parent does something else instead of coming home knowing his wife is about to call 999 for an ambulance?”
Damion and Tamara deny child cruelty and gross negligence manslaughter.
The trial continues.
The couple have denied the offencesCredit: BPM
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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