UPDATE::Jury: Parents Guilty of Manslaughter | KEZI (w/ Petition)

An update to this story

Even just a few years ago this verdict may have been different or not come to trial at all. (Idaho has what are called "religious shield laws" that prevent prosecution of medical neglect by faith healing parents - see petition below.) I am glad that individuals and juries are beginning to see the damage that belief in a sky daddy can bring. More so when you consider how that belief can be perverted by men and women of the cloth

The Rossiters belonged to the Church of the First Born which shuns medical care as it is seen as a weakness in faith, that God will heal.Travis Rossiter admitted he believes it was a sin to see a doctor. Wenona Rossiter argued they were not aware that Syble had type one diabetes. And to be clear, Syble, died last year from diabetic ketoacidosis, a painful and agonizing means of death;. This girl wasted away for weeks with the parents knowing that medicines can save a life but chose belief in a fictitious sky daddy instead.

After four hours of deliberating Monday evening, a Linn County jury found both Wenona and Travis Rossiter guilty of manslaughter in the first and second degree.

The couple is accused of recklessly and negligently causing the death of their 12-year-old daughter Syble last year, who died from diabetic ketoacidosis. The state argues the parents should have been aware of the girl’s health problems, and that a reasonable person would have sought medical care. The Rossiters claim they thought their daughter had the flu, which is why they did not bring her to a doctor.

Jury: Parents Guilty of Manslaughter | KEZI

PLEASE CONSIDER THIS IMPORTANT PETITION:

Idaho Governor Butch Otter. Remove religious shield laws that prevent prosecution of child abuse due to medical neglect by faith healing parents. 

Children born into the Followers of Christ church in Idaho are dying. Over 12 children have died in less than two years due to faith healing. A death rate of approx. 30% higher than the rest of the state. Their only medical care is prayer and anointing with olive oil. Their deaths can only be described as ritualistic sacrifices. The children are permitted to die as a way to show the congregation how strong the faith of the parent is.To seek medical help is perceived to show weakness and is therefore not tolerated.

Adults simply stand by and watch until the last breath is taken.

There are no attempts to resuscitate.

I am only one of many children who have suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of this church. I personally have attended over 100 funerals of these members, about one quarter of the dead are children. The picture of the baby on the petition is only one of the dead. He is the first of four children to be buried by my aunt and uncle. He was stillborn. His mother never received any type of prenatal care.

Every day that the religious shield laws remain in the law books means another child will die. Help me save the kids.