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muriel_volestrangler

(102,370 posts)
Mon Apr 19, 2021, 05:03 PM Apr 2021

Michigan excuses a couple whose neglect killed their baby, because it was a religious belief

And they may now win back custody of 3 other children who were saved from them. They claimed "God makes no mistakes", so refused to take the baby to a hospital where she could have been treated successfully (as their next baby was).

The story began in early 2017, when Abigail Piland was born without any obvious problems. But when the midwife who helped deliver her checked back the next day, Abigail didn't look healthy. The midwife told mother Rachel Piland to take the child to a hospital because the baby "could suffer brain damage or die if not properly cared for."
...
Abigail was not fine. Days later, she was dead. (Rachel and her husband Joshua then prayed for Abigail's resurrection. Surprise: That didn't work, either.)
...
The question now is whether the Pilands should regain custody of their living kids.

You might think this is an easy answer: Hell no. But Michigan law gives them an out: If they avoided medical treatment for their children for legitimate religious reasons, then they can't be punished for it - at least not in custody cases. More technically, they cannot be called "negligent" parents if they were acting on their religious beliefs.

https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2021/04/19/parents-who-let-baby-die-because-god-makes-no-mistakes-win-major-court-ruling/
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Michigan excuses a couple whose neglect killed their baby, because it was a religious belief (Original Post) muriel_volestrangler Apr 2021 OP
yikes... FirstLight Apr 2021 #1
I guarantee you they vote pro-life. idziak4ever1234 Apr 2021 #2
Stamp. dewsgirl Apr 2021 #5
Setting a legal precedence for future child abusers? OAITW r.2.0 Apr 2021 #3
K&R for exposure Blue Owl Apr 2021 #4
All I can say is edhopper Apr 2021 #6
essentially, human sacrifice was part of religious beliefs. yellowdogintexas Apr 2021 #7
operable word is was edhopper Apr 2021 #8

FirstLight

(13,880 posts)
1. yikes...
Mon Apr 19, 2021, 05:14 PM
Apr 2021

Law is crazy, and definitely not ethical in this case

How could you NOT take your BABY to the Dr/ if they are only days old and bleeding from the freakling MOUTH!?

edhopper

(34,652 posts)
6. All I can say is
Mon Apr 19, 2021, 06:36 PM
Apr 2021

Jesus Fucking Christ! We have finally gotten to the point in this country where human sacrifice is acceptable if it is from religious beliefs.

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