Jury Convicts Parents Who Couldn't Save Son With Prayers

Pa. jury convicts parents in tot's prayer death

A Northeast Philadelphia couple who relied on prayer, not medicine, to cure their dying child have been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment.

Herbert and Catherine Schaible face more than a decade in prison for the January 2009 death of their 2-year-old son, Kent.

Defense lawyers say the parents have been targeted because their fundamentalist Christian beliefs espouse faith healing.

Pennsylvania law says parents have a legal duty to protect their children's health and safety, although the law does not specify if or when medical care must be sought.

The Schaibles have six other children.

Experts say about a dozen children die in such cases each year.


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