Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah, a couple residing in Handsworth, Birmingham, were sentenced to a combined 44 years in prison for causing the death of their three-year-old son, Abiyah. Tai received a 24-and-a-half-year sentence, while Naiyahmi received 19-and-a-half years. They were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, gross negligence manslaughter, and perverting the course of justice. The court heard harrowing details of Abiyah’s severely malnourished state, suffering from rickets, anemia, stunted growth, severe dental decay, and untreated fractures. His body, discovered buried in the back garden of their former home, revealed the devastating consequences of extreme neglect.
The couple, who shunned mainstream society and lived “off-grid,” adhered to a self-created belief system blending elements of New Age mysticism and West African religion. They followed an extremely restrictive vegan diet, consisting primarily of nuts, raisins, and soya milk, a diet they also imposed on their young son. Their rejection of conventional medicine led them to treat Abiyah’s fatal respiratory illness with garlic and ginger, rather than seeking professional medical help. The couple’s emaciated condition upon their arrest further highlighted their adherence to this extreme lifestyle.
Upon Abiyah’s death in early 2020, the couple kept his body in their bed for eight days before attempting to embalm him and burying him in a shallow grave in their garden. Tai, a medical genetics graduate, claimed to have performed an eight-day ritual hoping for Abiyah’s resurrection, later explaining the burial as adhering to his cultural beliefs. He also asserted that they lived within a self-governed “kingdom” with its own legal framework, known as “slick law.” The couple had legally changed their names from Donald Nnah and Donna Graham after marrying in 2015, solidifying their separation from mainstream society.
Despite a post-mortem examination and extensive tests, the exact cause of Abiyah’s death could not be determined definitively. However, the evidence presented a clear picture of severe neglect and malnutrition contributing significantly to his demise. The untreated fractures and dental decay further underscored the extent of the child’s suffering. The prosecution argued that the couple’s neglect was willful and that they should have recognized the severity of Abiyah’s condition. The jury ultimately agreed, convicting them on all counts.
The couple’s unconventional lifestyle and belief system played a central role in the case. Their rejection of conventional medicine and adherence to a restrictive diet, coupled with their isolation from society, created an environment where Abiyah’s health deteriorated drastically and ultimately led to his tragic death. Their attempts to conceal the death and their elaborate justifications for their actions further compounded the gravity of their crimes. The lengthy sentences reflect the severity of the neglect and the devastating consequences for their young son.
This case highlights the dangers of extreme dietary restrictions, especially when imposed on children. It also underscores the critical importance of seeking appropriate medical care for serious illnesses. The Yasharahyalahs’ tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of neglecting a child’s basic needs and the importance of ensuring children’s well-being within society. Their rejection of conventional norms and embrace of an isolated, self-created world ultimately resulted in the preventable death of their son and their subsequent imprisonment.
