OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) -- A third couple from a Clackamas County faith-healing church are facing criminal charges for refusing to get medical care for a child.
Timothy and Rebecca Wyland pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of criminal mistreatment.
They are accused of allowing a mass of blood vessels to grow over the eye of their 7-month-old daughter, jeopardizing her vision.
The Wylands are members of the Followers of Christ church, which relies on faith-healing rituals to treat illness instead of medical care.
The Oregonian has obtained a photo of the baby.
Last April, Clackamas County District Attorney John Foote pledged to work with church members to try and change their policies regarding doctor visits. He also said he would prosecute parents for failing to give their children medical care if necessary.
In 2008, the parents were prosecuted after two children died in separate incidents while their parents followed the "faith healing" concept.
Jeff and Marci Beagley were convicted last February of criminally negligent homicide in the death of their 16-year-old son, Neil.
The Beagleys, also members of the Followers of Christ Church, said they prayed for their son to heal, instead of seeking medical care. And during the trial, they also testified that they did not realize their son's illness was life-threatening.
Neil died in June 2008 of complications from a congenital urinary tract blockage he had since birth that doctors said could have been corrected and treated.
Background: Beagley case
Earlier that same year, 15-month-old Ava Worthington died from pneumonia and a blood infection after her parents refused to bring her to a doctor and instead tried to heal her with prayer.
During that manslaughter trial for Carl Brent Worthington and his wife, Raylene, several doctors testified that their daughter, Ava could have been saved with antibiotics right up to the day before she died from pneumonia and a blood infection.
Background: Worthington case
