Authorities say a vegan couple's baby may never recover after they nearly starved it to death by feeding it 'milk formula' made from potato mash.
Florida pair Julia French, 20, and Robert Buskey, 31, have been charged with neglect with great harm after they were arrested this week.
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After Titusville Police were tipped off about an extremely malnourished child at the couple's house, they arrived to find the infant emaciated and close to death.
Police described the five-month-old baby as having sunken eyes and loose skin and with visible ribs and other bones, according to the Patheos blog.
"At one point, when the child was doing good and healthy, and gaining weight, he was on organic formula [but] they changed it on their own," Dtective Lauren Watson, of the Titusville Police Department, told WFTV.
"I've never seen a child to this level, this close to possible death."
Doctors have told police the baby could suffer long-term health complications as a result of his malnourishment and will need on-going medical care.
Police say the couple were unable to explain why they'd changed the organic milk formula to a potato-based one.
Both are being held in the Brevard County Jail before their next court appearance. Their child is now in care of the state.
Newshub.
