Faith healer parents didn't call ambulance for their dying newborn son

A COUPLE whose newborn baby was born two months premature decided to pray and rub oil on him instead of calling an ambulance.

Dale and Shannon Hickman, both 30, were convicted of second-degree manslaughter in 2011, over the death of their son, David.

David was born two months early at his grandmother’s home in 2009 and tragically died nine hours later.

The newborn had underdeveloped lungs, which caused him to turn blue and have trouble breathing.



His parents, members of a controversial faith healing group, tried to repeal the conviction on the grounds that the state had to prove that they knew their religious beliefs would cause the boy’s death, The New York Daily News reported.

However, last week their plea was rejected by Oregon Supreme Court and the judge reiterated that the couple could’ve done more to save their child.

During the 2011 trial, a doctor stated that David would’ve had a 99 per cent of survival if his parents had sought medical assistance.

The official cause of death was staphylococcus pneumonia which could’ve been treated by hospital staff.



 Dale Hickman said the pair didn’t call 911 because they were praying and they had no intention to call the emergency services.

 shannon added: “I think it's God's will whatever happens.”

 Followers of the Christ Church have previously rejected medical treatment for children because they rely on prayer and oils.

 And five other members have been convicted of crimes related to rejection of medical assistance for their children.

 The Hickmans’ crime requires a minimum sentence of six years in prison but many feared they would receive just 18 months and a $250,000 fine because of religious exemption.

In response to deaths at the hands of church members, state lawmakers removed the religious defences from criminal laws earlier this year.