Oregon Public Broadcasting

The father of 15-month-old Ava Worthington told a court Friday that there was no need for medical intervention because anointing her with oil, praying and fasting appeared to be working.  Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Carl Brent and Raylene Worthington are members of the Followers of Christ church in Oregon City.

They’re accused of manslaughter and criminal mistreatment of their daughter.

The case is the first time a state faith-healing law has been tested in court.

Under cross-examination, Brent Worthington was asked if, in hindsight, he would now take Ava to hospital.

Brent Worthington: “There’s nothing they’ve done to prove to me was that they could have cured her. What I got from them was: maybe yeah, maybe no, and if they couldn’t’ have done anything for her themselves, then I know all things are possible with God, so that’s where I would want it at.”

Worthington told the court that he was shocked Ava had died. He said she’d been congested, but he was not overly concerned about a swelling cyst on her neck.

The case continues.