Couple from faith-healing church cleared of wrongdoing in Oregon City stillbirth

The Oregonian/November 14, 2012

The family had planned a home birth. But when complications developed, the mother was transported to Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, where the infant was stillborn. In the past, members of the Followers of Christ church have been prosecuted for failing to provide medical care to ailing or dying children.

Oregon law does not require prenatal care or professional medical assistance at birth.

"There is absolutely no basis for criminal charges," said Sgt. Adam Phillips, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office spokesman.

Phillips said the baby's grandfather called 9-1-1 at 4:20 a.m. to report that his daughter's labor was going badly. When a deputy arrived at a home in the 18000 block of South Rose Road, just outside the Oregon City limits, the 29-year-old mother and her 32-year-old husband assured the deputy that they didn't need any help.

Later, however, the couple went to the hospital on their own, Phillips said.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office was called but did not perform an autopsy.

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