Catherine and Herbert Schaible, who are members of Philadelphia's First Century Gospel Church, are facing third-degree murder charges in the death of their young son Brandon. Seven-month-old Brandon died in April of bacterial pneumonia because his parents practice faith healing, and refused a judge's order to seek traditional medical treatment for their son. The prosecutor is also charging the parents with involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child, and conspiracy. In 2009, another of their children also died. The Schaibles were convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The jury sentenced them to probation. They are still serving that sentence.
The judge in charge of the case had originally denied the couple bail, believing them to be a flight risk. Late last week, however, he set bail at a quarter of a million dollars. The couple's seven other children have now been removed from the Schaible home.
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