What should be done?

In Oregon City this week, things are winding down in the trial of Carl Brent and Raylene Worthington, parents of a baby girl, Ava, who died in March, 2008 at age 15 months due to lack of medical care. As I write this, they've been showing autopsy photos of this little one in open court, causing tears, gasps, and making some people get up and leave.

The Worthingtons and their church don't believe in medical intervention, choosing instead to rely on their god for healing. From the testimony of the parents and others in the manslaughter trial, a large group from their church 'fasted and prayed' over the baby for quite some time.

This is an integral part of their belief system. They just don't believe in doctors and hospitals and medicine. I'm haunted by the testimony of a doctor who said that there are 'many more than a normal percentage' of children buried in the church's Cemetery.

Ava was born with cyst in her neck. It didn't start out huge, but it grew. And then she caught a bug that turned into pneumonia. Between the blockage caused by the cyst and the respiratory function being impaired from the pneumonia, she finally quit breathing and died, only minutes after the large group of people from the church laid hands on her and prayed.

The child's mother is quoted as saying that it was the "worst weekend of her life."

And I'm thinking it wasn't a great weekend for little Ava, either.

Now I understand that people have differing religious beliefs. I personally don't agree with most things found in religion, and I think we'd be better off without much of the craziness that can go along with it. But I figure as long as they're not hurting anyone, they should be able to pray, dance with snakes, rub blue mud in their navels... whatever religious trappings they want.

But where do we, as a society, draw the line at not interfering in someone's right to practice their religion as they see fit? That poor little baby was hurting plenty before she died. And not able to defend herself or ask for help. Isn't it just horribly wrong that the only exposure she ever had to a doctor was post-mortem when they cut her open to find out why she had died?

And if these parents are found guilty of manslaughter, what should the penalty be? They're not a threat to society in general, but they're definitely a threat to their own children, and by association, the other children born into that sect.

What do you think?

I have my opinion of what should be done to them written up for tomorrow, but I'm curious about what other people would do.

Thoughts?

Here's a link that contains more information:

Manslaughter trial begins for 'faith healing' parents Health kgw.com News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington