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A Beavercreek couple who left their infant daughter's fate to God rather than seek medical treatment for a mass that grew over her left eye will face charges of first-degree criminal mistreatment.
Prosecutors revealed Thursday during a custody hearing that a grand jury has indicted Timothy and Rebecca Wyland, members of Oregon City's Followers of Christ church.
The Wylands' 7-month-old daughter, Alayna, was placed in state custody earlier this month after child-welfare workers received a tip about the untreated and ballooning growth. Doctors said that the condition could cause permanent damage or loss of vision.
The Wylands were indicted within the past few days and probably will be arraigned next week, said Colleen Gilmartin, the deputy district attorney handling the custody case in juvenile court.
Under Oregon law, it is a crime for parents to intentionally and knowingly withhold necessary and adequate medical attention from their children. First-degree criminal mistreatment is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
The Wylands and their church reject medical care in favor of faith-healing -- anointing with oil, laying on of hands, prayer and fasting. The parents testified at a juvenile court hearing last week that they never considered getting medical attention for Alayna.
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-city/i ... ost_2.html
They are actually considering sending the child back home with these people, although they would be subject to some sort of monitoring. For some reason, the judge seems hesitant to place the child permanently into foster care or to terminate all parental rights and place the child up for adoption, which would be the normal thing to do in a criminal neglect case.
And since he wants to reunite the child with the family, it isn't likely that this couple will do any time for their crime...they will get off with a slap on the wrist and a free webcam, instead of the up to 5 years in prison that other parents would get for similar neglect.
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