PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) An Oregon judge on Monday (June 15) rejected arguments that a husband and wife who were indicted in the faith-healing death of their 15-month-old daughter are victims of vindictive prosecution.

Carl and Raylene Worthington, who are scheduled for trial June 23 on charges of manslaughter and criminal mistreatment, claimed they are being singled out because of their religious beliefs.

The Worthingtons belong to the Followers of Christ Church in Oregon City, which shuns some medical treatment in favor of spiritual healing.

Attorneys for the couple asked for all charges to be dismissed. They said Clackamas County police and prosecutors failed to pursue parents who are not church members, citing six cases of children who died between 1992 and 2008.

Judge Steven L. Mauer disagreed, saying the other cases were “dramatically different.”

The couple’s daughter, Ava Worthington, died at home March 2, 2008, of bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. A grand jury indicted the couple after the state medical examiner’s office concluded both conditions could have been treated with antibiotics.

Defense attorneys also asked Mauer to prohibit prosecutors from introducing death scene and autopsy photos at trial, saying they would be prejudicial. Mauer said prosecutors could decide which photos they wanted to present and the defense could make their arguments at trial.

Carl and Raylene Worthington, who appeared to be at least five months pregnant, left the courtroom during discussion and viewing of the photos.

In a similar case, Raylene Worthington’s parents face charges of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Ava Worthington’s 16-year-old uncle, Neil Beagley.

A grand jury indicted Jeffrey and Marci Beagley, who are also members of the Followers of Christ church, after their son died last June of an untreated urinary tract blockage. The Beagley’s trial begins next January.