Oregon Public Broadcasting

Parents who rely on the power of faith -- rather than a doctor -- to cure health problems pled not guilty to charges of criminal mistreatment Thursday.

Clackamas County took custody of Timothy and Rebecca Wyland's seven-month-old daughter last month, after learning of serious medical problems with her eye.

Kristian Foden-Vencil was in the courthouse and joins us from Oregon City.

Beth Hyams: Good afternoon.

Kristian Foden-Vencil: Hi.

Beth Hyams: What happened in court today?

Kristian Foden-Vencil: Basically the Wyland's presented themselves. As you said, they plead not guilty. They were then told to book into Clackamas County Jail, so they could be immediately released.

County deputy DA Christine Landers told the court they have close ties to the community so they're not really a flight risk. The couple are expected to be released on their own recognaisance sometime this afternoon if not already.

The judge also set a date for the next hearing -- that'll be October 7th.

Beth Hyams: Was there any other discussion?

Kristian Foden-Vencil: Well Judge Robert Herndon was actually standing in for Judge Van Dyke. So there was a little discussion about when and how the Wylands would be able to have contact with their daughter.

But Herndon essentially said he didn't want to get involved, so they'd have to wait to deal with Judge Van Dyke on those issues.

Beth Hyams: So, that's what happened Thursday. But can you fill us in on some of the details about this case?

Kristian Foden-Vencil: Certainly.

Basically, Timothy and Rebecca Wyland are member of the 'Followers of Christ Church.'

The church rejects secular medicine and turns instead to faith-healing rituals -- like the laying-on of hands; anointing with oil; prayer and fasting.

We're not sure how the case of seven-month-old Alayna May, came to the attention of authorities. But basically much of the tissue around her left eye has swollen -- to about the size of a tennis ball.

Doctors have said that the pressure of that growth was pushing on the eyeball and could damage the socket. There was a concern that it could blind Alayna in that eye. And we should note that doctors generally treat this condition before it goes this far.

According to court documents, Rebecca Wyland treated Alayna by anointing her eye with oil and wiping away any yellow discharge each time she changed the baby's diapers.

There have been a number of deaths among the children of this church. And what's different about this time is that authorities intervened before the child's life was in danger.

Beth Hyams: You say a number of deaths. How many are we talking about?

Kristian Foden-Vencil: Well, the state medical examiner's office recently researched that and estimates that over the last 30 years, more than 20 children have died of either preventable or curable illnesses.

For example: Carl Worthington was convicted last summer of criminal mistreatment. His 15-month-old daughter died after he didn't provide medical care.

You may also remember Jeffery and Marci Beagley. They were found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of their teenage son last year. He died of complications with an untreated urinary blockage.

Beth Hyams: So the Wylands were arraigned today. If they're found guilty, what do they face?

Kristian Foden-Vencil: Well, first-degree criminal mistreatment is a Class C felony. If convicted, they'd face a maximum of five years in prison.