Michigan Child's Death Puts Spotlight On Clash Between Medicine And Religion

[Voltaire2]

Last edited Fri Aug 31, 2018, 08:09 PM - Edit history (1)

The case of a Michigan couple charged in the death of their 10-month-old daughter is bringing to light a debate about withholding medical care because of religious beliefs.

Seth Welch and his wife, Tatiana Fusari, both 27, were charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse after their daughter, Mary, died earlier this month from malnutrition and dehydration, an autopsy revealed. The parents said they didn't seek medical help for their daughter because of their religious beliefs, though they declined to define their religion.

...

Every state in the U.S. has laws protecting children from abuse and neglect, but in 34 states and the District of Columbia, there are religious exemptions that allow parents to forgo medical treatment for a child if it conflicts with their religious beliefs, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the Department of Health and Human Services.

There are also religious exemptions to manslaughter laws in at least six states, Pew reported. However, in many states, including Michigan, these exceptions are not absolute.

https://www.npr.org/2018/08/31/643407967/michigan-childs-death-puts-spotlight-on-clash-between-medicine-and-religion?ft=nprml&f=1001


But no such thing as religious privilege.

[struggle4progress]

1. borked linkie

try

https://www.npr.org/2018/08/31/643407967/michigan-childs-death-puts-spotlight-on-clash-between-medicine-and-religion

[struggle4progress]

2. ... An autopsy determined the baby died of malnutrition and dehydration ... "Tatiana Fusari admitted

during the interview that they failed to reach out for medical help with their daughter for fear of having her children removed by Child Protective Services, lack of faith and trust in the medical services and religious reasons," the affidavit states ... He says someone called CPS about him when he at first refused to get his oldest daughter vaccinated, and that he didn't get his other two kids, including Mary, vaccinated ... https://www.kron4.com/news/records-outline-why-parents-didn-t-get-help-for-starving-baby/1357298844

[struggle4progress]

3. ... Welch had posted frequently about his Christian beliefs on his personal Facebook page.

He also expressed his views on the medical industry. In a video posted May 2, he referred to doctors as "priesthoods of the medical cult," and explained that he thinks doctors would have to believe in creationism to successfully treat patients. Welch also spoke about vaccines, saying, "If evolution believes in survival of the fittest, why are we vaccinating everybody? Shouldn't we just let the weak die off and let the strong survive?" ...

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/detectives-mich-couple-citing-religious-reasons-refused-help-as-infant-daughter-starved-to-death

[struggle4progress]

4. ... The Kent County sheriff's office said Welch called 911 .. and deputies found the child

not breathing inside a home ... One of the first responders noted the child's sunken eyes and cheeks, and lack of pulse. She was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy .. ruled the cause of death as malnutrition and dehydration due to neglect by adult caregivers ...

https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/parents-who-didnt-seek-medical-help-for-baby-for-religious-reasons-charged-with-murder

[Pope George Ringo II]

5. I'm always amazed that this is even a question.

When keeping your invisible friend happy is more important than your child's health, something very fundamental is not right.

[Mariana]

6. I noticed that Mr. Welch wears eyeglasses.

It would be interesting to know how, exactly, they determined that God opposed the use of modern medicine and technology to save their baby's life, but approved of corrected vision for Mr. Welch.

[marylandblue]

7. Optometrists aren't real doctors, so it's okay

Last edited Sun Sep 2, 2018, 01:12 PM - Edit history (1)