Naturopath in starving baby case continued to treat children

A Sydney naturopath has pleaded guilty to aiding and and abetting a mother who failed to provide the necessities of life, putting a baby's life in danger, thanks to alternative medical treatments.

The eight-month-old was taken to Marilyn Bodnar's home clinic in Leppington, in Sydney's south west, suffering from eczema, but ended up extremely malnourished and close to death.

Bodnar advised the mother, who we cannot name for legal reasons, to go on a raw food diet, and then later a water only diet, to subdue the skin condition.

The mother presented with the baby to Westmead Hospital in 2015.

When the infant was admitted to hospital, he had lost more than one kilogram and was near death.

Prosecutors tendered a revised indictment to the Downing Centre District Court on Friday, with a lesser charge of aiding and abetting the mother in failing to provide the necessities of life. 

In front of a packed gallery, wearing a hot pink sweater, Bodnar answered "guilty, your honour".

She was supported by her husband in court, and made no comment as she briskly left the building. 

Since Bodnar had pleaded guilty, we can now reveal the naturopath was accused of manslaughter in 1988, after the death of Narelle Neimann, 42,  who was under Bodnar's care and on a water diet for 60 days.

Neimann was staying with her friend Bodnar at the time of her death. 

Prosecutors argued Bodnar failed to get professional help when her condition deteriorated, but Bodnar was acquitted.

While awaiting this trial, Bodnar's bail conditions stated she was, "not, under any circumstances, to treat any children under the age of 16" and "not to advise any parents who have children under the age of 16".

But 9NEWS can reveal the 61-year-old's website boasted news that she has continued to host workshops, which included fasting advice for parents and special discounts for children under the age of 12.

9NEWS also captured participants arriving for one such seminar earlier this year.

Court documents previously tendered to the court state Bodnar allegedly asked the mother,  "Are you 100 per cent raw? You have to be 100 per cent raw if you want to see your son heal."

When he developed a fever she went a step further, and allegedly told her to drink only water.

The boy's mother, a maternity ward nurse, was handed a 14 month suspended jail sentence last year August after pleading guilty to failing to provide the necessities of life for her child.

Because of Bondar's treatment, police allege the toddler could suffer long-term developmental problems.

The child continues to be monitored, but it could be several more years before he's given the all-clear.

Bodner will be sentenced in March.