OREGON CITY, Ore., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- An Oregon couple who believe in faith healing face second-degree manslaughter charges in the death of their premature baby.
Prosecutors argue Dale and Shannon Hickman, members of the Followers of Christ, an Oregon City church that rejects medical care in favor of spiritual treatment, caused the death of their son David last September because they did not seek adequate medical care, The (Portland) Oregonian reported.
David, who was born two months prematurely and weighed 3 pounds, 5 ounces, lived only 9 hours. The couple said he appeared healthy before his skin became gray and his breathing difficult.
He died of a bacterial lung infection.
Prosecutors say the couple have never been to a doctor and did not consider calling for help.
Defense attorneys say the father held his son, prayed and anointed him with oil before the boy died minutes later and argue that even if the couple had gone to a hospital or called an ambulance, the baby would have died.
The birth was attended by female church members who considered themselves midwives but The Oregonian said it's unclear whether they had any medical education.
Defense attorneys Jon Neidig and Mark Cogan say the baby's death could not have been foreseen by the Hickmans and argue the couple have been singled out for prosecution because of their religious beliefs.
