Father Found Guilty of Murdering 14-Year-Old Son Jairon

A Belgian jury has found Rennlhij Manuela, the father of 14-year-old Jairon, guilty of murdering his son. The decision came after a closely watched trial in Antwerp, even though prosecutors had not charged the father with murder.

Four other defendants were found guilty of withholding food and medical care from a vulnerable person. A fifth defendant, George I., was acquitted and cleared of all charges.

Because emotions ran high after the verdict, police escorted the convicted defendants home. None of them was immediately taken into custody.

Jairon died after weeks without medical care

Jairon, 14, was found dead in bed on February 25, 2022, at a rental home in Turnhout, Belgium.

He had been living there with his father, his two younger brothers and five other adults. According to the case presented at trial, Jairon became seriously ill weeks before his death but did not receive the medical help he needed.

The group reportedly relied on their religious beliefs and expected divine help instead of seeking medical treatment.

The Antwerp prosecution had charged the defendants with withholding food or care from a vulnerable person resulting in death, as well as failing to provide assistance.

However, the jury was also asked to consider several other legal charges, including murder.

Jury finds Jairon’s father guilty of murder

After hours of deliberation, the 12-member jury reached its decision on Friday evening.

The jury found Manuela guilty of murder. It said he deliberately failed to seek medical help for his son and accepted that Jairon would die as a result.

According to the jury, Manuela could have changed his decision, but he chose not to seek help even when Jairon’s condition became critical.

The other four convicted defendants were found guilty of withholding medical care and food from Jairon.

The jury said they knew how serious his condition had become and could not simply blame Manuela’s influence as a leader within their community.

One defendant reportedly knew that Jairon could barely speak during his final days. Another searched for information about starting an IV, while another acknowledged that Jairon was bedridden.

George I. was the only defendant to be completely acquitted. The jury concluded that he had not been sufficiently involved in Jairon’s care during the final weeks and did not have enough knowledge about the seriousness of the boy’s condition.

Jairon’s mother says he finally had a voice

The verdict brought strong emotions inside and outside the courtroom.

Jairon’s mother, Danica Neyda, said she felt relieved after the verdict and was grateful that her son had finally received justice through the trial.

She said she was happy with the jury and the way the trial had been handled. For her, the most important thing was that the person responsible for Jairon’s death had been held accountable.

Danica’s partner, Andy, also thanked the Belgian justice system, the jury, the judge and their lawyers after what he described as a long four-and-a-half-year struggle.

The acquittal of George I., however, was difficult for Jairon’s family to accept. Danica said the decision was a painful blow, but added that the family had trusted the jury to answer the question of responsibility.

Sentencing will take place Monday

The jury will return on Monday to consider the sentences for the convicted defendants.

Although Manuela and the other convicted defendants were found guilty, they were not immediately taken into custody. Police escorted them home after the verdict because of the tense atmosphere surrounding the case.

For Jairon’s family, the verdict marks an important moment after more than four years of waiting for answers.

His mother said Jairon will always remain in the family’s hearts and that they will now try to move forward while holding on to their memories of him.