A wealthy Floreat couple have gone trial over accusations they starved their teenage daughter, treated her like a young child, denied her medical attention, and lied about her age.
The couple, who cannot be named to protect the identity of their child, have pleaded not guilty to charges of grievous bodily harm and forgery.
Perth Children’s Hospital.Credit: Getty Images
On the first day of their 11-day trial, state prosecutors told Perth District Court the girl had limited contact with people outside her immediate family, and her parents allegedly did not believe she had any health issues or required any medical treatment.
The court was told the girl, who was homeschooled and an only child, had the appearance of an 11-year-old and suffered from hair loss and extremely low body weight.
It was the intervention of two dance instructors that drew the attention of the Department of Communities, which pressured the parents to get the child medically assessed.
But prosecutors alleged the parents ignored the doctors’ advice and denied the child had any nutritional deficiencies.
“On each occasion [the mother] repeatedly dismissed concerns and said [the daughter] ate a healthy vegan diet and had no problems,” the court was told.
“[The mother] repeatedly said there was nothing wrong with her and said she was a premature baby, had a history of small stature in the family, and said her orange and sallow skin was due to eating too many carrots.
“Her severe malnourishment was obvious.
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