UK parents jailed for ‘entirely preventable’ death of 12-year-old son from untreated diabetes News of the World
A teaching couple whose 12-year-old son died from undiagnosed diabetes has been jailed despite showing severe symptoms in the hours before his death.Tamara Thomas, 46, and Damion Thomas, 48, were unable to seek emergency medical help when their son Joshua fell seriously ill at their home in Kings Heath, Birmingham, on December 9, 2022. Joshua later died at Birmingham Children’s Hospital from untreated type 1 diabetes, which led to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition, the Daily Mail reported.In handing down the sentence, Judge Katz called the boy’s death “entirely avoidable” and said he would have survived if emergency medical assistance had been sought sooner.The court heard Joshua had been feeling unwell for several days and had developed symptoms including excessive thirst and frequent urination in the week before his death. Around 4 a.m. on December 9, he became very weak and could not walk to the bathroom without help.Damien helped him and believed he might need hospital treatment later that day. Tamara also noticed how much weight her son had lost. However, neither parent called an ambulance or sought emergency medical help.The judge said the couple were negligent in failing to obtain medical assistance when it became clear Joshua’s condition was urgent. She told the court his death could have been avoided if treatment had been provided at that stage.After arriving at work around 7.30am, Damien returned home later that day. Joshua was still very ill and had to be helped downstairs by one of his siblings. Tamara eventually called 999 at 12.43pm but Joshua never regained consciousness and died in hospital in the early hours of the next morning.Judge Katz said the couple were loving and devoted parents who cared deeply about their children, but criticized what she said was a belief that “they knew best” and their reluctance to seek professional help.“You didn’t ask for help when it was obvious you needed it,” she said. “This attitude has tragic consequences.”The judge also noted that Damien himself was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2018 and was therefore familiar with the condition and its symptoms.Tamara was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter and sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. Damien was jailed for two years and nine months for child abuse.
