Faith Healing Parents Convicted In Death of Child

In Oregon City, Oregon last week, Dale and Shannon Hickman were convicted of second degree manslaughter in the death of their seriously ill infant son for whom they prayed and who they anointed with olive oil instead of seeking medical help. AP reports that the Hickman's are members of the Followers of Christ Church which has a history of rejecting medial care for members' children. Because of a religious exemption in the prior version of state law, the Hickman's are likely to face no more than 18 months in prison and a $250,000 fine. This year the state legislature removed the religious defense for criminal violations.