PHOENIX -- A jury on Thursday convicted a Valley father accused of starving his three young children for what he called a "vegan lifestyle."

Jury: Dad guilty of lesser charges

The three yound children, who allegedly were fed a strict vegan diet -- no meat or animal byproducts, suffered from severe malnutrition, barely looking their ages.

The jury -- seven men and five women -- found Blair Parker guilty on all three counts, but they were lesser charges of negligent child abuse and wreckless child abuse. The lesser charges mean there is no mandatory prison time and Parker will be eligible for parole.

The kids' mother, Kimu Parker, had already been found guilty of the more severe charges of child abuse. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Blair Parker's trial begain about a month ago. Like his wife, he faced a possible sentence of 30 years.

The children were taken into state custody in the spring of 2005. Photos of them stunned the Valley.

An 11-year-old girl weighed just 36 pounds. Her 9-year-old brother weighed 29 pounds. The youngest child, a 3-year-old girl, weighed only 12 pounds. The doctor who examined her said she could see every bone in the child's body.

The case came to light after the 3-year-old was rushed to the hospital because of seizures.

The Parkers said at the time that they had their children on a strict vegan diet.

A social worker said that after the children were hospitalized, they grew and gained weight.

EARLIER REPORT

PHOENIX - The images of three children looking frail and gaunt shocked the Valley.

Their parents are accused of neglect and abuse after their kids hardly looked their ages. The mother is already behind bars.

The father's trial begun on Tuesday. It is a story that raises all kinds of issues  including parents rights versus childrens' best interest. Should there be criminal penalties for alleged misguided beliefs?

This case that even raises questions about the value of a vegan diet will now be played out in Superior court.