Parents charged in faith-healing death launch offensive

OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon City parents charged with letting their 15-month-old daughter Ava die by relying on faith-healing instead of medical care have launched a counteroffensive to defend their religious freedom.

Their attorney says the couple also plan to create a legal defense fund.

He compared the Web site for Raylene and Carl Brent Worthington to those for other high-profile defendants such as the Duke University lacrosse players who were accused and later vindicated in a rape case.

A 1999 Oregon law struck down religious shields for parents who treat their children solely with prayer.

On March 31st, the couple pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and criminal mistreatment in Ava's death.

She died at home from bacterial pneumonia and a blood infection that the state medical examiner said were treatable.

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