OREGON CITY, Oregon (AP) - An Oregon judge has rejected defense claims of selective and vindictive prosecution in the manslaughter trial of a couple whose 15-month-old daughter died of pneumonia while they prayed for her recovery.
The Worthingtons are members of the Followers of Christ -- a small Oregon City church that advocates spiritual healing instead of medical care.
the couple had a duty to seek medical care for their daughter
I think it's terrible a little girl died, and stupid that the couple ignored modern medicine—god works in mysterious ways (e.g., penicillin) after all.
But what does this really mean? If they'd taken her to the doctor, then ignored the doctor's perscription for antibiotics, would they still be guilty? They sought medical care, after all. Or do they then have the follow the advice of that doctor? What if they seek a second opinion, but before they can do so, the child dies? What if the doctor believes in spiritual healing as well? What if the medication is too expensive?
I feel like there are a million facets of the law here, but maybe if they'd done something they could have resolved themselves of legal guilt.
There was a case in Australia recently (I think) where a 9 month old died of ezcema.
The parents went back and forth with conventional medicine and homeopathic remedies.
They got prison time as well.
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