Faith-healing Oregon City parents face charges after newborn's death
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Two parents in Oregon City are facing charges following the death of their newborn, alleging the couple failed to provide medical care for the baby after opting for faith-healing, according to court documents.
According to Tuesday's court filings, the parents -- Blair and Taylor Edwards -- were charged with one count of criminal mistreatment in the first and second degree for failing to provide adequate and necessary treatment for the baby.
The lawsuit stated the baby was born June 24, 2023, at the parent's home and appeared healthy, noting the baby was eating for a day and a half until the morning of June 26, when he stopped eating after 6:15 a.m.
Around 11 a.m., the parents became concerned, and family and friends showed up to pray and anoint the baby, the lawsuit said, adding the parents and witnesses noted the baby's lips were turning blue by 2:35 p.m. and stopped breathing until one of the parents applied cold water to the baby.
According to court documents, the baby stopped breathing a second time at 3:05 p.m. and the family called the medical examiner's office. First responders arrived around 4:30 p.m. and began investigating the cause of death.
A postmortem exam later found the baby was severely jaundiced, including yellowing skin and organs, court documents said.
The lawsuit stated the baby's ultimate cause of death was not determined. However, it was most likely kernicterus -- a rare type of brain damage from a buildup of bilirubin in the blood, according to Kaiser Permanente.
The parents “belong to a faith that eschews medical treatment for their children in favor of prayer,” court documents claim. “When asked under what circumstances they would seek medical treatment for [the baby] their answers indicated that they never would and did not think they needed to here.”
The lawsuit added that Taylor Edwards is pregnant and is expected to deliver another baby in June or July.
Medical experts said the baby’s condition “may have been caused by a hereditary condition and are concerned that the next child born may also have this condition, which they say is likely treatable with adequate medical care,” court documents claim.
The parents declined to comment on the lawsuit and are set to be arraigned on May 8.