Couple Convicted of Child Neglect After Son Found Buried in Garden

A Birmingham couple who created their own “kingdom” and opted for an off-grid lifestyle have been convicted of causing or allowing the death of their three-year-old son, whose body was discovered buried in a garden.

Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah were found guilty after a two-month trial revealed their "breathtaking" neglect led to the tragic death of their son, Abiyah. The child died from a respiratory illness exacerbated by severe malnutrition due to a restrictive vegan diet, which also caused rickets, anemia, and stunted growth.

The couple kept Abiyah's body in their bed for eight days following his death in early 2020, then embalmed and buried him in a shallow grave at their home in Handsworth, Birmingham, as the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Tai, a medical genetics graduate, and Naiyahmi, a former shop worker, shunned modern society, claiming to renounce British citizenship. They attempted to treat their son’s illness with garlic and ginger instead of seeking medical attention.

The couple, who were arrested in December 2022 while living in a caravan in Somerset, had adopted a lifestyle characterized by dietary restrictions, a self-declared monarchy, and a legal system Tai called "slick law."

The trial highlighted that Abiyah suffered from severe dental decay and fractures to his arm, legs, and ribs, possibly from a fall weeks before his death. Despite these conditions, the couple failed to seek medical care, instead relying on their alternative beliefs.

Jurors deliberated for more than 21 hours before unanimously convicting the couple of neglect, perverting the course of justice, and causing or allowing death. Evidence presented during the trial included police bodycam footage and testimonies about their unconventional beliefs.

Tai, 42, claimed he conducted an “eight-day ritual” in hopes of reviving Abiyah before deciding to bury him in what he described as “sacred ground.” Despite his academic background in immunology, he claimed ignorance of the dangers of an unsupplemented vegan diet.

Naiyahmi, 43, born into a Christian family in Birmingham, was described as heavily influenced by her husband’s domineering personality and belief system.

Detective Inspector Joe Davenport criticized Tai as an “arrogant fantasist” and Naiyahmi as “incredibly weak-minded,” prioritizing her husband’s demands over her child’s welfare.

The case has prompted a child safeguarding review to assess the role of police and other agencies in protecting Abiyah during his life.

The couple, who lived off the generosity of others and moved between unconventional accommodations, admitted during the trial that they buried Abiyah without registering his death.

Tai and Naiyahmi will face sentencing next Thursday, with the tragic case highlighting the devastating consequences of neglect and isolation from societal norms.