A Canberra man has been jailed after his baby son was found so dehydrated he could not produce tears or saliva, and was judged to be near death by a doctor.
The 35-year-old man and his 23-year-old partner pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm by an unlawful negligent act or omission.
The boy was born five weeks premature in January, 2015.
Eleven months later, welfare workers found him badly dehydrated and starving, with untreated dermatitis and an ulcer in his mouth.
His father had told the workers he was eating solids, and nearly crawling.
But when the boy was taken to into care it was found he was only able to drink milk, and his physical development was way below his age.
Justice John Burns acknowledged the mother had been ill and the boy had been largely left in the care of his father, but said she still had to wear the responsibility.
"It went for 11 months and was not a momentary lapse," Justice Burns said.
"There was a high degree of negligence involved.
"I am satisfied [you] were ill. Your ability to care for [him] … was significantly diminished."
Justice Burns told the woman her moral culpability was low, and suspended her nine-month sentence, but he judged the boy's father more harshly.
"The only apparent explanation was your persistent use of cannabis," he said.
"Your moral culpability is high."
The man has been given a 15-month sentence with six months behind bars, and nine months suspended.
