Oregon Public Broadcasting

The mother at the center of a faith-healing trial in Oregon City testified in her own defense Thursday. Rob Manning reports.

Marci Beagley downplayed tape-recorded statements she made shortly after her 16 year-old son, Neil, died, in which she said she had feared he might possibly die.

She said that she and members of the family’s church, the Followers of Christ, prayed and “laid on hands” to help Neil the day he died.

Prosecutor, Steve Mygrant, asked Marci Beagley about a conversation she had that day with Neil, about going to a doctor.

Steve Mygrant: “That would’ve been considered a lack of faith. And he wanted to put his faith in God.”         

Marci Beagley: “He did want to put his faith in God.”

Steve Mygrant: “He didn’t want to put his faith in modern medicine.”

Marci Beagley: “He didn’t say that.”

Beagley said that had Neil asked to see a doctor, she would’ve taken him.

The Beagleys are charged with criminally negligent homicide for not seeking medical treatment for the urinary block, that ultimately killed their son.

Both parents have said the teen didn’t appear that sick to them.