Faith Healers Lose Custody of Children After Son Dies Refusing Medical Treatment
A family of faith healers has been separated; the parents have been arrested and the children sent to live with foster families in the wake of a tragic death. Austin Sprout, 16, died when his parents refused to get him medical attention for an illness - instead relying entirely upon prayer.
Austin had been sick for at least a week before dying, prosecutors in Oregon stated. Yet the family argued that they gave Austin the choice to go to the hospital for treatment; it was Austin who wanted to remain at home and continue the family practice of praying for healing.
The entire Sprout family, with children ranging from an infant to a 17-year-old attends the General Assembly Church of the First Born in Pleasant Hill, Oregon, and has for years. Brandi and Russell Bellew, both formerly married, blended their families in 2009.
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Brandi's first husband, Brian, died of sepsis in 2007 after failing to seek medical treatment for a leg injury. He was Austin's biological father and the father of three of the Sprout-Bellew children. Brandi and Russell face charges of second-degree murder for Austin's death and their children are now wards of the state of Oregon.
They may see their children with supervision and must adhere to an "in-home safety plan" designed by Lane County Circuit Juvenile Judge Eveleen Henry. A "safety provider" must always be present during visitation, and the family must agree to call 911 in case of an emergency.
Family safety monitor Del McCracken also attends the General Assembly Church but "believes in seeking medical care and advocates for the children to have medical care," the Register Guard reported.
Shawn Sprout, Austin's uncle, told KVAL news that the family believes in prayer and healing. "We trust in God for everything. We trusted him to take care of illnesses and heal us."
