OREGON CITY, Ore. (RNS) An Oregon judge again rejected a proposal on Thursday (Aug. 26) to return 8-month-old Alayna Wyland to her parents who face charges of failing to provide adequate medical care for her.
Timothy and Rebecca Wyland, of Beavercreek, Ore., pleaded not guilty to first-degree criminal mistreatment in July after the state Department of Human Services received tips about a hemangioma — an abnormal mass of blood vessels — on the infant’s eye that had not been treated.
The Wylands are members of the Followers of Christ Church, a congregation that shuns most medical care in favor of faith healing.
Circuit Judge Douglas V. Van Dyk said at a hearing Thursday he was not prepared to change the girl’s custody status, even after learning that the hemangioma was responding to court-ordered medical treatment.
Oregon Assistant Attorney General Joanne Southey said doctors at Portland’s Casey Eye Institute reported the hemangioma was shrinking and they were not recommending surgery.
Alayna’s treatment includes doses of medicine administered by the Wylands. Alayna is in state custody, but the Wylands see her five days a week.
The Wylands have been cooperating with court orders, according to reports from the doctor who supervises Alayna’s daily medical treatment through the Internet video program Skype.
Defense attorneys said the Wylands’ willingness to use medicine despite their religious beliefs shows that Alayna would be safe in their care. John Neidig, Rebecca Wyland’s attorney, said the couple recently consulted a doctor after noticing Alayna had a runny nose.
Michael Clancy, Alayna’s attorney, said he would support the custody proposal if it includes adequate monitoring of the health care regimen.
Southey and Clackamas County Deputy District Attorney Colleen Gilmartin opposed the idea, with Southey calling the proposition “highly concerning, considering the extent of the child’s injuries” at the beginning of the case.
The Wylands are scheduled for an Oct. 7 hearing on the criminal charges against them. Attorneys agreed to a custody-related hearing on Oct. 12.
