OREGON CITY, Ore. — State officials will retain legal custody of a 19-month-old girl whose devoutly religious parents treated the girl’s vision-threatening medical condition with prayer instead of taking her to a doctor.
Timothy and Rebecca Wyland were convicted in June of first-degree criminal mistreatment and sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years’ probation for failing to seek treatment for their daughter, Alayna.
Circuit Judge Douglas Van Dyk said he was concerned the Wylands would not continue necessary long-term medical treatment once off probation. He denied a motion to return custody of the girl to the Wylands and will review the matter in July 2012.
Doctors say the girl will need treatment for the damaged eye until she turns 7. Although she lives at home, the Department of Human Services has had legal custody since last July and supervises her care.
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