Oregon doctor says girl’s warning signs were ignored
Friday, July 3, 2009 10:25 AM PDT
OREGON CITY (AP) — A pediatrician has testified that as a 15-month-old girl’s health worsened, her parents ignored several warning signs that could have saved the child’s life. Carl and Raylene Worthington — who believe in treating illnesses with faith-healing — are charged with manslaughter and criminal mistreatment in the March 2008 death of their daughter Ava. Their trial continued Thursday in Clackamas County Circuit Court.
Dr. Sayonara Mato told the court the couple never questioned their daughter’s failure to develop normally, ignored a cyst that would swell when she had an infection and chose not to seek medical help when she became noticeably more distressed. This is the first trial in Oregon under a 1999 law removing religious conviction as a defense in some death cases. The Worthingtons’ Followers of Christ church prohibits conventional medical treatment and relies on biblical prescriptions including prayer, anointment and laying-on of hands.
The Worthingtons contend they don’t believe in doctors and that faith healing works. The little girl died of pneumonia, a blood infection and complications from the cyst, which interfered with her windpipe and esophagus. Had the couple asked for medical advice when Ava’s breathing became more labored the day before her death, ‘‘I would have instructed them to call 9-1-1,’’ said Mato.
