PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 27 (UPI) -- An Oregon judge refuses to return an 8-month-old girl to her parents, who face charges of failing to provide adequate medical care for her, officials say.
The parents, Timothy and Rebecca Wyland of Beavercreek, Ore., pleaded not guilty to first-degree criminal mistreatment in July after the state officials received tips about a hemangioma -- an abnormal mass of blood vessels -- on Alayna Wyland's eye that was not being treated, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Thursday.
The Wylands are member of the Followers of Christ Church, which shuns most medical care in favor of faith healing, the newspaper said.
Circuit Judge Douglas V. Van Dyk ruled he was not ready to change the girl's custody status even though the hemangioma was responding to court-ordered medical treatment.
Alayna is in state custody, but the Wylands see her five days a week and are administering the medications prescribed by doctors.
Attorneys for the Wylands said their willingness to use medicine despite their religious beliefs shows the infant would be safe in their care.
"The parents are willing to access medical treatment for this child," Thurl Stalnaker Jr., who represents Timothy Wyland, said. "They have exhibited that."
Attorney Michael Clancy, representing the child, said he would support the custody proposal if it includes adequate monitoring of the healthcare regimen.
A hearing on the criminal charges against the Wylands has been set for Oct. 7.
