Oregon Public Broadcasting

The defense questioned two witnesses Tuesday at the trial of Ava Worthington’s parents on charges of manslaughter and criminal mistreatment.

The Worthingtons relied on faith-healing methods rather than medical attention to treat their daughter’s illness.

The girl’s paternal grandparents both testified about their observations of the child’s health leading up to her death on March second of last year. 

Ava’s grandmother, Julie Worthington, provided a photo showing that the toddler stood more than 25 inches tall in early January, 2008.

The defense introduced the photo to counter prosecution witnesses, who said Ava was unusually small compared with other children at the same age.

Both grandparents testified that at no time during the last two months of Ava’s life were they concerned that she might be near death.