Crown seeks up to 4 years prison time for parents of toddler in meningitis death

David and Collet Stephaneffectively abused their sonEzekiel, endangering his life, and should serve up to 4years in prison, the Crown prosecutor said in a Lethbridge, Alta., courtroom Thursday at a sentencing hearing.

The Alberta couple were found guilty in Apriloffailing to provide the necessaries of life for their toddler, who died of bacterial meningitis four years ago.

ProsecutorLisa Weich said the parents should have provided medical assistance and that not doing so was "effectively abuse."

Calling the parents' behaviour "arrogant and selfish," the Crown is seeking three to 4 years behind bars.

The Crown interrupted part of Collet Stephan's testimony earlier on Thursday in the Lethbridge Court of Queen's Bench when she claimed the boy's autopsy report had been falsified.

Her lawyer, Shawn Buckley, said he had no idea shehad planned to make such a statement.

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The sentencing hearing resumed shortly afterward, and Collet Stephan, 36, broke down in tears at other points during her testimony.

The defence is expected to call a total of five witnesses, but revealed that the woman'shusband, David Stephan, 32, won'tbe one of them.

TheStephanswere convicted by a jury in April in the case involving19-month-oldEzekiel, whodied in March2012.

The boy had been sick for almost two weeks and,despite advice that the boy needed medical attention, the Stephans chose to treat him with herbal and natural remedies.

Justice Rod Jerke allowed a five-minute interview to be aired in court of David Stephan talking to producers of an anti-vaccination film.

Defence lawyerShawn Buckley was clearly upset with the decision, tossing papers on the table in front of him.

'Most horrible thing that ever happened'

An emotionalColletStephantestified thatafter four years of "could've,would've,should've,"she would do anythingto have her son alive again.

"If I could turn back time and do something different ...Idefinitely would," she told the court.

Colletsaidher son's death was the "most horrible thing that everhappened"in her life.

She said she has suffered depression, anxiety, panic attacks and nightmares about SWAT team members coming to their house in the middle of the night to take away their other threechildren.

Colletfurthertestified that people in the tiny community ofGlenwoodshunned them after the couple were charged.

She said people were rude and madesnarkycomments, and when shewould wave to say hi, many would look away.

Parents' failure 'contributed significantly'

Earlier this month, the judge released the finding of facts in the case that he will use to consider the couple's fate.

"The failure of Mr.Stephanand Mrs.Stephan contributed significantly to the risk to Ezekiel's life," he wrote.

Court heard the couple thought the boy had croup or flu, so they treated him with hot peppers, garlic, onions and horseradish, even though a family friend who was a nurse told them she thought Ezekiel had meningitis.