Oregon Couple Gets 30 Days in Jail Over Newborn’s Faith-Healing Death

Oregon Couple Gets 30 Days in Jail Over Newborn’s Faith-Healing Death

OREGON CITY, Ore. — An Oregon couple whose newborn son died after they refused medical care because of religious beliefs has been sentenced to 30 days in jail, sparking renewed debate over faith healing and child welfare.

Blair and Taylor Edwards, members of the Followers of Christ Church, pleaded guilty Monday to criminally negligent homicide in the June 2023 death of their infant, Hayden. Born at home, Hayden began showing signs of severe distress on his second day of life. Instead of seeking medical help, the Edwards relied on prayer and anointing, practices tied to their church’s rejection of modern medicine.

In court, Blair Edwards admitted wrongdoing: “We should have reached out for medical care when Hayden went into distress. We understand that medical care can be necessary to preserve and enhance life.”

Along with the month-long jail term, the Clackamas County judge imposed five years of supervised probation and ordered the couple to ensure proper medical care for their four surviving children.

Prosecutors said harsher charges were considered but noted that the state medical examiner could not conclusively determine whether emergency intervention would have saved Hayden’s life.

The Followers of Christ Church, a small Christian denomination, has been linked to multiple child deaths in Oregon over the past two decades. Previous cases have prompted legislative discussions about narrowing or eliminating religious exemptions that allow parents to withhold medical care.

The case has reignited debate over balancing religious freedom with protecting children’s health and safety in Oregon.