A couple from Minnesota was supposed to attend their first court appearance but they failed to show up in court. Prosecutors now believe that the parents of the 7-year-old are hiding off in New Zealand.
The parents were identified as Sarah and Timothy Johnson. They have been charged with misdemeanor and child neglect for failing to get medical help for their son, Seth. The boy, who was adopted, died in March 2015.
The Johnsons were supposed to go to their first court appearance in Hennepin County on Tuesday. Assistant Hennepin County Attorney John Halla said in a statement to Judge Gina Brandt that the couple moved to New Zealand even as arrest warrants have been issued to the couple. It is believed that they flew out of the country last week.
As per the police report, Seth had an inflamed pancreas and was possibly infected.The Johnsons said that they "researched" on how to deal with the illness of their adopted son that is why they did not seek medical help, Fox News reported. Seth died of sepsis after suffering from pancreatitis.
Medical examiners found Seth had bruising on his chest, cheek, buttocks, forearms, and lower abdomen. He also had large cuts on each of his heel and the medical examiners said it was consistent with signs of pressure ulcer.
The boy was found on a mattress that had vomit stains on it. He was underweight and malnourished. The Johnsons claimed that their adopted son developed blisters and markings, barely ate and threw himself down the stairs then hit his head weeks before he died. The couple continued to claim Seth did not want to go to the hospital because he had issues with doctors, People reported.
When they looked for a possible explanation of why their adopted son was acting as such and developed bruises, the diagnosis that turned up was post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. They also said that their son was diagnosed in the past with fetal alcohol syndrome and reactive attachment disorder. The couple decided to treat Seth with vitamins and medical honey.
