The mother: not guilty on all charges. The father: guilty of only criminal mistreatment. That kind of verdict makes me sick. Thank goodness I have parents who cared enough to take me to the doctor.
Most people have heard of the now famous case from Oregon City, where Carl and Raylene Worthington, the parents of 15-month-old Ava Worthington, were recently tried for manslaughter for Ava’s death after they refused to take their sick daughter to a physician. The Worthingtons cited a religious defense, testifying that, as members of the Followers of Christ Church, they believe in faith healing and not conventional medicine.
This case is not short on shocking twists and turns. For one thing, this is not the first death among children within this church. Larry Lewman, a former medical examiner for the state of Oregon, alleges that during a 10-year period, 25 children died due to lack of medical care. The Oregonian ran an investigation that claimed that 21 children buried in the church’s cemetery died preventable deaths.
Freedom of religion is a right that absolutely must be protected in this country. However, can we protect people who knowingly cause harm to innocent children in the name of their religious doctrine? Where does this end? Sanctioned sexual abuse because it’s part of someone’s faith? If a neighbor reports the severe physical abuse of children next door, do we look the other way when the parents claim that beating their kids is OK due to the nature of their beliefs?
I am a Christian myself, who believes in God’s power to heal. That doesn’t mean that if my baby had pneumonia that I would not rush him or her to the doctor. I don’t tempt God by saying, “Well, if you really cared about my baby, you would heal her.” I’m not arrogant enough to place Jesus-like abilities in my reach. I trust that God put medicine on this earth for a reason, and I’d do whatever I could to protect my child.
Ashley Santos, a juror for the trial, says that Carl Worthington was found guilty on one charge because someone had to be held responsible. Yeah. Someone does. So why acquit them both of what they were accountable for? It’s hypocrisy—they aren’t responsible for her death, but they are? And placing the blame on the husband is a gross misrepresentation. I can say with 100 percent certainty that if my husband did not agree with me bringing my very sick child to the hospital, I wouldn’t care. Children come first. Period.
I am only mildly comforted by District Attorney John S. Foote’s affirmation that the state would continue to fight for the protection and rights of children. As long as the public can be manipulated into thinking that child abuse can be justified by religious claims, these kids will never be safe.