Faith-Healing Parents Charged In Baby's Death

[Lennon]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23882698

A couple whose church preaches against medical care are facing criminal charges after their young daughter died of an infection that authorities said went untreated.

Carl and Raylene Worthington were indicted Friday on charges of manslaughter and criminal mistreatment in the death of their 15-month-old daughter Ava. They belong to the Followers of Christ Church, whose members have a history of treating gravely ill children only with prayer.

Ava died March 2 of bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. The state medical examiner’s office has said she could have been treated with antibiotics.

Dr. Christopher Young, a deputy state medical examiner, said the child’s breathing was further hampered by a benign cyst on her neck that had never been medically addressed, The Oregonian reported.

[cornermouse]

1. Part of me says they should be charged.

On the other hand, with rising poverty I have to wonder whether lack of treatment was due to religion or poverty and inability to pay the hospital.

[physioex]

2. Come on that is nonsense..

What parent wouldn't fight to save their children's life? They should have been knocking on any/every hospital demanding treatment.

Obviously that wasn't the case this time.

[ColbertWatcher]

3. That's just sick...

...these religious nuts are so in denial about science and especially evolution.

[crikkett]

4. I am glad I'm not a parent