Couple 'deliberately starved' three-year-old daughter to death, court toldThe court heard that the couple failed to register Penelope’s birth, provide her with GP care or education as they "isolated" themselves from the wider worldView Image An examination of her body found the cause of death was malnutrition (Image: Getty)A couple "deliberately starved" their three-year-old daughter to death over many months, a court has heard. Prosecutor Philip McGhee said the Crown’s case was that the defendants mistreated their daughter over an "extended period of time" and "deliberately starved" her, leading to her death. The court heard that the couple failed to register Penelope’s birth, provide her with GP care or education as they "isolated" themselves from the wider world. On December 17 2023, police found Penelope’s "very emaciated" body wrapped in a sheet with bruising to her neck, the court was told. What appeared to be a ligature was found attached to the bannisters on the stairs, the court was told.