The defense of the couple centered around their adherence to their cultural beliefs, arguing that their actions were in accordance with their cultural norms.
A married couple, Tai-Zamarai Yasharahyalah, 42, and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah, 43, were convicted of causing the death of their 3-year-old son and burying his remains in their garden in Handsworth, Birmingham.
They were found guilty of multiple charges including child cruelty, causing or allowing the death of a child, and attempting to pervert the course of justice at Coventry Crown Court. The discovery of their son Abiyah’s remains buried in the garden in 2022 revealed that he had died in 2020 due to severe neglect and cruelty.
Medical examinations showed that Abiyah suffered from various health issues such as malnutrition, rickets, anaemia, stunted growth, fractures, severe dental decay, and compromised immunity. Photos from 2019 indicated signs of severe vitamin D deficiency.
Further analysis revealed stunted growth and evidence of multiple bone fractures that occurred prior to his death. The court heard that instead of seeking medical help when Abiyah fell ill in 2020, his parents treated him with home remedies.
Following his death, the couple kept Abiyah’s body in their bed for eight days, performed a ritual, embalmed him with frankincense and myrrh, and buried him in the garden.
The court was told that the couple prioritized their cultural beliefs, including strict dietary practices and a rejection of conventional medicine, over their child’s well-being. The Crown Prosecution Service stated that the neglect led to Abiyah’s premature death.
Tai-Zamarai Yasharahyalah, a former fitness instructor, developed a belief system influenced by Igbo culture. The couple believed in natural and holistic medicines and claimed they were unaware of the risks of a strict unsupplemented vegan diet for their son.
Defense lawyer Bernard Tetlow, KC, argued that the couple genuinely believed they were acting in the best interest of their child. However, Detective Inspector Joe Davenport criticized the couple for failing to provide basic care to their son.
The couple is set to be sentenced at Coventry Crown Court on Dec. 12.
PA Media contributed to this report.
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