After Toddler Passed Away Due To Vegan Diet, Woman Breaks Silence On Crucial Signs She Ignored

The aunt of a three-year-old boy who passed away after being subjected to a highly restrictive vegan diet has broken her silence, saying the guilt of not acting sooner will haunt her forever.

Abiyah Yasharahyalah, a toddler described by his aunt as “just a lovely child,” passed away in early 2020 from what prosecutors said was a respiratory condition exacerbated by severe malnutrition. 

His parents, Naiyahmi and Tai, were sentenced in December 2024 to a combined 44 years in prison for causing or allowing his passing, along with additional charges related to child cruelty and obstructing justice.

Cassie, Naiyahmi’s sister, admitted she overlooked several warning signs that might have saved not only her nephew’s life, but her sister’s future as well.

The aunt of a toddler who lost his life after his religious parents subjected him to a restrictive diet says she ignored key signs that might have saved him

Woman in red headwrap holding floral arrangement outdoors, related to toddler passing due to vegan diet and ignored crucial signs.

Image credits: nnaizamarah

Little Abiyah’s body remained buried for almost three years in the garden of a terraced house in Birmingham while his parents roamed free. When authorities uncovered the boy’s remains, what they found shook them to their core.

The child was discovered to have suffered from rickets, anemia, stunted growth, fractured bones, and extensive tooth decay.

Woman breaking silence on crucial signs ignored after toddler passed away due to vegan diet, standing beside a man in traditional attire.

Image credits: Sky News

A medical expert testified that even if a respiratory infection had been the direct cause of his passing, the effects of prolonged malnourishment were a “more than minimal” contributing factor.

Young child smiling with adult close by, related to vegan diet and crucial signs ignored after toddler passed away.

Image credits: Sky News

Moreover, it was discovered that the boy’s body was kept in his parents’ bed for over a week before being subjected to a makeshift embalming ritual, carried out in accordance with his father’s religious beliefs.

They believed their son would reincarnate.

According to reports, the couple belonged to an obscure religious sect known as Royal Ahayah’s Witness, which combined elements of African spiritualism, New Age mysticism, and anti-Western ideology.

Cluttered room with various household items and clothing scattered, highlighting signs ignored in toddler vegan diet case.

Image credits: West Midlands Police

Tai, a former medical genetics student and the son of a Nigerian government official, styled himself as a sovereign ruler of a fictional “kingdom.”

In following their religion, Abiyah’s parents enforced a restrictive diet made up almost entirely of fruit, nuts, and seeds, and avoided getting their son checked by any doctors.

Naiyahmi was negatively influenced by the boy’s father, who followed an obscure, anti-Western religion

Cluttered kitchen interior with gardening supplies and scattered debris, relating to vegan diet crucial signs ignored.

Image credits: West Midlands Police

According to Cassie, signs of the religion’s harmful effects were already causing damage to her family even before Abiyah was born.

The 47-year-old recalls how her sister had once been a doting, even overprotective mother. After a brief separation from Tai in 2016, Naiyahmi returned home pregnant and “shockingly thin,” staying with Cassie for six months after giving birth.

Dimly lit living room with a red curtain, wooden table, and couch, related to toddler vegan diet signs ignored.

Image credits: West Midlands Police

“She was going to playgroups, coming out with me and my friends. She’d taken her headscarf off, started wearing makeup again. She was present,” Cassie said. “She never left [Abiyah] with anybody.”

Then, Cassie made a crucial mistake. Wanting for Abiyah to have both parents present for his first birthday, she invited Tai to their house.

Cluttered bedroom with red curtains, bags, and clothes scattered on a bed, highlighting crucial signs ignored in vegan diet case.

Image credits: West Midlands Police

“I let her invite him to the party,” she said. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”

Shortly afterward, her sister, Naiyahmi, moved out and subsequently cut all contact with her family. She then started posting concerning messages on social media.

“We saw posts where they were denouncing the Western world and saying they didn’t agree with interracial relationships,” Cassie said.

“That caused a rift because our family is diverse. We all have mixed-race children.”

Cassie is now raising money to fund the installation of a headstone in her nephew’s memory

Black and white camper trailer parked outdoors near trees, highlighting neglected crucial signs of vegan diet risks.

Image credits: West Midlands Police

Cassie said that while she resented her sister for walking away from the family and was deeply wary of her increasingly radical views, she ultimately chose to keep her distance out of respect.

A decision she regrets to this day.

Cluttered, dimly lit room with laundry area and household items, reflecting neglected signs linked to vegan diet risks.

Image credits: West Midlands Police

The first warning signs that something had happened to Aliyah came in the form of social media posts, or rather, the absence of them. Naiyahmi had abruptly stopped posting about her son.

“I just assumed it was to do with not wanting him online anymore,” Cassie explained. “But something felt off.”

Although she discussed her unease with her mother, Cassie admits she chose not to reach out. 

“I didn’t want to be dragged back in,” she said. “She’d caused so much chaos over the years. Everyone was just kind of fed up with her.”

Woman breaking silence on crucial signs ignored after toddler passed away due to vegan diet, with man posing in background.

Image credits: nnaizamarah

In the months following Abiyah’s passing, Cassie says she received a message from Naiyahmi asking about her health. She responded, unaware of the tragedy that had already occurred.

“She told me she was going through something spiritual,” Cassie recalled. “I didn’t know then that Abiyah was already gone. Looking back through those messages now… it’s chilling. She said nothing.”

In December 2022, police running a welfare check uncovered the truth of what had happened, which eventually led to the parents’ arrest and subsequent trial.

Close-up of toddler with serious expression highlighting crucial signs ignored in vegan diet case.

Image credits: GoFundMe

On July 25, 2025, Cassie opened a fundraiser page hoping to pay for a headstone to honor Abiyah’s memory.

“The cost of the headstone, inscription, and installation is more than I can cover alone, so I’m reaching out for support,” she wrote.

“I want to change that by giving him the dignity of a proper headstone. Something simple, loving, and permanent, so that anyone visiting will know he was loved and remembered.”

“Nothing to do with veganism.” Debate grew over the specific causes behind Abiyah’s passing

Facebook comment by Jason Scott expressing skepticism about parents' feeding after toddler's vegan diet death.

Comment by Marissa Zuidmeer stating food is essential and death occurs from not getting enough, related to vegan diet risks.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing the dangers of a vegan diet and its potential impact on toddler health.

Comment text on a social media post discussing a toddler's death linked to vegan diet and signs ignored by the woman.

Comment by Nanny Bennett discussing the insufficiency of a vegan diet for children and health concerns.

Social media comment discussing veganism with emojis expressing mixed reactions including laughter and surprise.

Comment from Judy Cooper stating you can live vegan but still need a balanced diet, highlighting crucial signs ignored after toddler passed away.

Comment by Iain Purdie stating need for meat as humans are carnivores, reacting to toddler’s death linked to vegan diet signs.

Comment from Kimberley Jessop emphasizing the need for proper nutrients in a vegan diet for toddlers to avoid risks.

Facebook comment from Donna Jean expressing concerns about vegan diet risks, especially for children’s health and survival.

Comment about feeding baby vegetables highlighting crucial signs ignored in toddler's vegan diet issues shared by woman.

Comment by Maureen Saunders expressing that the toddler starved due to a vegan diet, highlighting crucial signs ignored.

Screenshot of a Facebook comment by Jacob Seemann stating the toddler's death was due to bad parenting, not veganism.

Comment from Stella Sebastos discussing starvation and vegan diet misconceptions related to toddler death and crucial signs ignored.

Comment defending vegan children’s health and growth, discussing neglect and vegan diet signs ignored by woman.

Comment from Abby Pratheep discussing concerns about toddler’s vegan diet and ignoring crucial signs related to health risks.

Woman named Sue Johnson commenting on a post, addressing concerns about toddler's vegan diet and lack of feeding.

Comment disputing toddler death due to vegan diet, discussing crucial signs and beliefs about nutrition risks.

Comment disputing the claim that a toddler's passing was caused by a vegan diet, emphasizing malnutrition concerns.

Comment by Jenny Prüssmann about risks of vegan diet causing lack of nutrition and calories in children.

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