The father of 14-year-old Jairon has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for murdering his son, following a trial before the Antwerp Court of Assizes.
Rennlhij Manuela, 47, was handed the sentence on Monday after the jury deliberated for three and a half hours.
Four other people who lived in the same household received prison sentences of up to three years, suspended, for depriving the teenager of medical care.
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Prosecutors had sought a 20-year prison sentence for Manuela and three years in prison for the other defendants.
Jairon's case came to light in 2022, when the 14-year-old's body was discovered around two months after his death at the rented home where he lived with his deeply religious father in Turnhout.
The court heard during the trial that the teenager had fallen ill but was not given the medical care he needed. Instead, prayers were held in the belief that he would recover, including after his death.
