Personal Injury Law

Teenager From Faith-Healing Family Dies Unnecessarily

By Greg Owen

Ava Worthington, the 15-month-old child of Carl and Raylene Worthington didn't stand a chance. Her parents belong to a faith healing church group known as Followers of Christ, which has a congregation of approximately 1,200 members. The members of that church do not believe in using modern medicine. Instead they relay on faith and prayer. As a result of those beliefs, in March, Ava died unnecessarily due to untreated bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection.

Due to the wrongful death of Ava, her parents of Ava have been charged with manslaughter and criminal mistreatment to which they have pleaded not guilty. According to their defense attorney, they intend to use a religious freedom defense.

Thankfully, in 1999 Oregon law struck down the use of religious shields for parents who treat their children with nothing other than prayer. This came about after earlier deaths involving children of Followers of Christ believers.

Most recently, Ava's cousin, 16-year-old Neil Beagley, died also as a result of not having medical treatment. However, in Oregan, a child as young as 14 can refuse medical treatment (makes little sense to most). "All of the interviews from last night are that he [16-year-old Neil Beagley] did in fact refuse treatment," police Sgt. Lynne Benton said Wednesday. "Unless we can disprove that, charges probably won't be filed in this case." Neil died of heart failure caused by a urinary tract blockage.

Additional Information Pertaining to Wrongful Death

Full post as published by Glendale Personal Injury Lawyer on June 19, 2008 (boomark / email).