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US 'prayer cure' couple lose appeal over child's death | US 'prayer cure' couple lose appeal over child's death |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The reckless homicide conviction of a couple whose daughter died after they tried to treat her with prayer, denying her medical help, has been upheld. | The reckless homicide conviction of a couple whose daughter died after they tried to treat her with prayer, denying her medical help, has been upheld. |
By 6-1, Wisconsin's Supreme Court ruled that a law protecting Dale and Leilani Neumann from child abuse charges did not cover their daughter's death. | By 6-1, Wisconsin's Supreme Court ruled that a law protecting Dale and Leilani Neumann from child abuse charges did not cover their daughter's death. |
Kara Neumann, 11, died on Easter Sunday March 2008 from undiagnosed diabetes. | Kara Neumann, 11, died on Easter Sunday March 2008 from undiagnosed diabetes. |
The couple were convicted in separate trials in 2009 and sentenced to six months in prison. | The couple were convicted in separate trials in 2009 and sentenced to six months in prison. |
They have not served any jail time while the case went through the appeals process. | They have not served any jail time while the case went through the appeals process. |
The Neumanns' legal team argued that Wisconsin abuse laws granted criminal immunity to parents who put their faith in prayer to heal their child's ill health. | |
'Glory of God' | 'Glory of God' |
But government lawyers argued that such protection ends when parents realise a child is at serious risk of death. | |
The couple identify themselves as Pentecostal Christians and believe visiting a doctor is akin to worshipping an idol, the Supreme Court opinion said. | The couple identify themselves as Pentecostal Christians and believe visiting a doctor is akin to worshipping an idol, the Supreme Court opinion said. |
The family first began to pray after Kara became very tired and pale, and her legs turned blue. | The family first began to pray after Kara became very tired and pale, and her legs turned blue. |
They continued to do so as their daughter's conditioned worsened, disregarding suggestions from Leilani Neumann's mother to bring Kara to a doctor. | They continued to do so as their daughter's conditioned worsened, disregarding suggestions from Leilani Neumann's mother to bring Kara to a doctor. |
Leilani Neumann rejected a suggestion that she give Kara a dehydration supplement, saying such a treatment would be taking away the glory from God. | Leilani Neumann rejected a suggestion that she give Kara a dehydration supplement, saying such a treatment would be taking away the glory from God. |
Kara slipped into a coma and died. | Kara slipped into a coma and died. |
Emergency room officials testified the girl's condition was easily treatable and her chances of survival had been high "well into the day of her death". | Emergency room officials testified the girl's condition was easily treatable and her chances of survival had been high "well into the day of her death". |
Dale Neumann testified during his trial that he never thought his daughter's illness would prove fatal. | |
He said he believed that even if she did die, Jesus would resurrect her, much like the biblical story of Lazarus. | |
More than a dozen states have some form of legal protection for parents who use prayer healing. | More than a dozen states have some form of legal protection for parents who use prayer healing. |
In Pennsylvania, a couple has been charged with the death of their infant son from pneumonia after they refused medical care and relied only on prayer. | |
They were already serving 10 years of probation for the death of their two-year-old son in 2009. |