An end to faith healing? Legislation is proposed which would close a religious exemption clause in the state’s child abuse statutes. In the wake of the prosecution and conviction of a Marathon County couple whose diabetic daughter died after they prayed over her rather than seeking medical treatment, legislation is proposed which would close a religious exemption clause in the state’s child abuse statutes.
State Representative Terese Berceau (D-Madison) says the decision to charge Dale and Leilani Neumann with reckless homicide in daughter Kara’s death does not represent a solution to the issue. “We couldn’t save her while she was alive, and doctors are saying that she could have been saved one hour before she died, if they had known the condition she was in,” said Berceau. “So, when people say ‘well it works because we can prosecute them,’ yes, but after the child is dead.” Berceau said child advocates are supporting her measure (AB-590) over one from state Senator Lena Taylor (SB-384). “I did work with all these groups to get their opinion, and basically they just said, bottom line, just delete that portion of the statute that gives people this religious defense. I would say, look at the supporters of my bill, versus the supporters of Senator Taylor’s.” [Read more...]
