Oregon ban on faith healing gets first real test

PORTLAND, Ore. - The first test of Oregon’s faith-healing law heads to court this week.
    
At the center of the case is a couple, Carl and Raylene Worthington, who belong to the Followers of Christ church. They face manslaughter and criminal mistreatment charges in the death of their 15-month old daughter, Eva, who died in 2009 from pneumonia as they prayed for her recovery. 
     
Authorities say her condition could have been easily treated. The Worthington’s maintain they have a right to rely on faith healing.

A 1999 Oregon law forbids parents from relying on faith healing and not seeking medical help when a child's life is at sake. Eva was 15 months old.

The law eliminated a spiritual healing exemption in some manslaughter and criminal mistreatment cases.
     
In a pre-trial hearing last week, the Clackamas County judge hearing the case rejected arguments by attorneys for the Worthington’s that some evidence, including photographs from the night the little girl died, be excluded from the trial.
   
The court also rejected claims that the couple was being unfairly prosecuted.
   
Raylene Worthington’s mother, who is also a church member, is also awaiting trial on similar charges for the death of Raylene's teenage brother.

Over the weekend, the attorney for the Followers of Christ released a statement in preparation for the trial. The statement reads in part:

"While the government traditionally has a say in some decisions involving parent and child, criminally charging the Worthingtons under these circumstances violates the constitution and is an abuse of power."

"Concerning the question of parental prerogative in making decisions for children, where core religious beliefs are invoked:  family autonomy is a deeply respected value and tradition in our country, as is religious freedom.”

Doctors say Eva Worthington's condition could have easily been treated with antibiotics.