Faith Healing 'Followers Of Christ Couple' Charged With Murder Of Daughter

OREGON CITY, OR — Two Followers of Christ church members have been charged with murder in connection with the March death of their infant daughter, Clackamas County Sheriff's officials said Monday.

The pair, Sarah Elaine Mitchell, 24, and Travis Lee Mitchell, 21, are the fifth couple from the Followers of Christ church in Oregon City to be charged for using faith healing in lieu of medical care for children.

In October 2011, Sarah's sister Shannon Hickman was found guilty of manslaughter alongside her husband Dale Hickman following the 2009 death of their newborn son, not even nine hours after his birth. The Hickmans were sentenced to six years in prison and three years of post-prison supervision, or parole.

In June 2011, Oregon lawmakers passed House Bill 2721, making it illegal to use spiritual treatment as a defense to crimes in which the victim is younger than 18 years old.

The Mitchells turned themselves in to the Clackamas County Jail June 5, police said, and were booked on charges of murder and criminal mistreatment. Warrants had been issued for the couple's arrest, police said. They are being held without bail.

On March 5, Sarah Mitchell gave birth to two girls, one of whom they named Ginnifer. Both girls were born prematurely, according to Oregon State Medical Examiner Karen Gunson, but only Ginnifer developed breathing problems within hours of her delivery. With oxygen getting into her bloodstream, according to an autopsy, Ginnifer died of natural causes, Gunson reportedly said.

No one present for the birth — which included family members and other Followers of Christ — called 911. Only after Ginnifer's death did church elder Carl Hansen call the Clackamas County Medical Examiner.

The Mitchells are scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday, police said.

Photos Courtesy: Clackamas County Sheriff's Office