Parents plead not guilty in faith-healing death

[moobu2]

The parents of an Oregon City boy who died during attempts to heal him with prayer today pleaded not guilty to criminally negligent homicide.

Jeffrey Dean Beagley, 50, and Marci Rae Beagley, 46, were arraigned in Clackamas County Circuit Court, with about a dozen fellow members of the Followers of Christ in Oregon City in attendance. They were released on bond.

A grand jury indictment accused them of "failing to provide adequate medical care to a child, in violation of the duty of a parent."

The couple's son, 16-year-old Neil Jeffrey Beagley, died June 17 of complications from a urinary tract blockage. He was surrounded by family and church members, who shun medical treatment in favor of spiritual healing.

<snip>


The Followers of Christ church also made headlines early this year when Neil Beagley's niece, 15-month-old Ava Worthington, died during a faith-healing session. Worthington's parents, Carl and Raylene, go to trial Jan. 26 on charges of manslaughter an criminal mistreatment.



link

[tularetom]

1. Stupid fuckers like this test my opposition to the death penalty

I'm afraid I could easily throw the switch to fry them.

[Beregond2]

2. This isn't the first time the wackos at this church have killed people.

The relevant laws in OR were changed due to prior incidents with them. They are going to pay bigtime for this one. Can you imagine watching your son die in agony for months and doing nothing?

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. How the hell can they plead "Not guilty?"

Prosecutor: Did you know your child was sick?
Parent: Yes.
Prosecutor: Did you seek medical attention for your child?
Parent: No.
Prosecutor: And your child died because of this untreated illness?
Parent: Yes.
Prosecutor: I rest my case.

[dmallind]

4. The problem is

That to these wackos the answer to question #2 is "Yes - from the finest and most impeachable healer there is. He just refused to cure the boy".

Chalk up (yet) another exhibit to show those who laughably claim that religions do no harm.

[TZ]

6. Thats the really twisted part of this.

They DON'T think they did anything wrong..they asked God to heal the child and God refused for some reason. How sick do you have to be to believe that God wants your child to die....

[raccoon]

5. See also: Promised a Miracle (1988)

(based on a true story)


http://www.amazon.com/Promised-Miracle-Rosanna-Arquette/dp/6302564417

Wesley Parker (Vonni Ribisi) is 11 years old and the eldest of four children. His diabetes was diagnosed when he was 6 years old, and he regularly has insulin shots. The family is close and loving. Then Larry finds himself unemployed. At a church meeting, the Parkers hear a guest speaker - that man in the first scene - describe a miraculous cure. They are urged by friends and neighbors to let Wesley meet the visitor, who promptly declares, ''I believe God will heal you.'' Wesley's health becomes the top priority at local prayer meetings. The Parkers are urged, by their pastor and other congregants, to ''get some prayer power working.''
The utter conviction is unflagging.

When Wesley's health shows unmistakable signs of deterioration, the parents believe that ''Satan's putting symptoms there to test our faith.'' When the boy begins to hallucinate, someone concludes that ''there's a demon here.'' Even when Wesley finally dies and the friends begin to back off with the excuse that they never knew the child was so sick, the Parkers latch on to the biblical tale of Lazarus: ''God has chosen Wesley for a miracle greater than healing: resurrection.''


http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE0DB133BF93AA25756C0A96E948260

[FM Arouet666]

7. little sonny went to heaven so all is well

Or, little sonny went to a grave to decay. All that he was, his thoughts, his aspirations, all that he was, is gone. 16 years of life and no more. A sad, sad tale to be sure, had he lived a thousand years ago, a tale often told. But, he lived in an age of science, his medical condition easily treated without concern. That is, if it were not for his parents, striving to hold onto the ignorance of a thousand years ago. Clinging to a religion for their own selfish salvation. 'Hear me lord, just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac...' :evilfrown: