Parents plead not guilty in faith-healing death

Parents plead not guilty in faith-healing death

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Story Published: Mar 31, 2008 at 7:04 PM PST

Story Updated: Mar 31, 2008 at 7:04 PM PST

By Associated Press

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OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon City couple accused of withholding medical care from their mortally ill daughter and trying to cure her with prayer pleaded not guilty in Clackamas County to charges of manslaughter and criminal mistreatment.

Authorities say Carl Worthington, 28, and Raylene Worthington, 25, entered their plea Monday and may be the first parents prosecuted in the nine years since Oregon cracked down on faith-healing deaths. They could spend more than six years in prison.

Doctors say 15-month-old Ava Worthington's pneumonia and blood infection could have been prevented or treated with antibiotics.

The crackdown followed the deaths of children of several members of Oregon City's Followers of Christ Church, to which the Worthingtons belong.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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