Yet another couple who are members of the Followers of Christ Church, which follows faith healing traditions, have been convicted of failing to provide medical treatment for a child. An Oregon jury found Timothy and Rebecca Wyland guilty of felony criminal mistreatment for failing to take their young daughter to medical professionals who could treat her for vision problems. The little girl, now 18 months old, still lives with her parents but is a ward of the state. Doctors say her condition has improved significantly under traditional care.
In the past few years, other members of the Church have been convicted of negligent homicide and manslaughter for failing to obtain treatment for their children. Some Oregon lawmakers seem to favor the removal of a ministerial exception to homicide charges, and have introduced House Bill 2721 to respond to criticism of those believers who turn to spiritual healing rather than traditional medicine to take care of medical problems. More coverage from the Oregonian of Followers of Christ Church trials here.
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