Category: General Assembly Church of the First Born

The second-degree murder trial of a faith healing couple whose teenage son died of a burst appendix is underway.

17-year-old Zachary Swezey died of a burst appendix while his parents and other members of the Church of the First Born prayed for his recovery, and failed to call a doctor or ambulance.

A Washington state law that allows faith healing for Christian Scientists but not other religions is not arbitrary, a judge has ruled.

The decision clears the way for the Tuesday start of a second-degree murder case against a couple whose son died three years ago.

A couple from Carlton, WA pleaded not guilty today to charges of second-degree murder in the death of their 17-year-old son, Zachary Swezey.

Police say Zachary died because his parents failed to call for medical assistance, and relied on prayer instead.

Six children of an Oregon couple arrested in the faith-healing death of their 16-year-old son have been placed in temporary state custody.

Russel and Brandi Bellew each face mandatory prison sentences of six years and three months if convicted of second-degree manslaughter.

It took the Prosecutors’ Office in Okanogan County, Washington nearly three years to file charges against the parents of a teenager who police say died because the couple failed to call for medical assistance, relying on prayer instead.

Officials say the case was delayed by several priority cases, along with attorney staffing issues.

Just one day after parents in Washington were charged in the faith healing death of the teenaged son, an Oregon couple belonging to the same church have been arrested in the faith healing death of their 16-year-old son.

They belong to a church is known for its unbiblical teachings beliefs regarding faith healing.

An Oregon Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy whose cause of death is unknown and whose family belongs to General Assembly and the Church of the First Born — a church that believes illnesses and injuries should be treated with prayer rather than medical care.