Religion: Oregon faith healing couple plead not guilty to manslaughter. Monday, an Oregon City couple entered a not guilty plea in the faith healing death of their infant son.
The couple, Dale and Shannon Hickman, are members of the Followers of Christ Church.
The church preaches faith-healing and rejects modern medicine in favor of prayer and anointing the sick with oil.
The couple is facing manslaughter charges for failing to provide medical care to their infant son, who died shortly after his premature birth.
Dale and Shannon Hickman were arraigned Monday on charges of second-degree manslaughter. Their trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 19 at the Clackamas County Courthouse. Monday they entered a plea of of not guilty.
Church members have a lengthy history of child deaths from lack of medical care. The deaths influenced a 1999 law eliminating the religious freedom defense in cases involving the welfare of a child.
The state medical examiner's office has estimated that in the past 30 years, more than 20 children of church members have died of preventable or curable conditions.
The Hickmans are the third couple identified as members of the Followers of Christ Church to face criminal charges in the death of a child during the past two years.
It's time for the state of Oregon to throw the book at these religious crazies. Too many children have already died.
More on Faith healing:
Religion in America: Legacy of Oral Roberts: Faith healing; prosperity gospel; televangelism
Church and state: Parental rights and faith healing
Religion: Oregon faith healing trial goes to jury
Faith healing: Grand jury indicts Oregon parents
Religion: Faith healing in Oregon on trial
Religion: Oregon orders state custody for child of Christian faith healers
Religion: Oregon couple guilty in faith healing death
Faith healing: Intellectual incompetence and moral failure
Comments
When will people learn being in this crazy church is a death sentence?
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