The Pennsylvania couple who allowed their child with pneumonia to die called in a priest to anoint her the night before she died.
Last week, 34-year-old Grace Foster and 35-year-old Jonathan Foster, a Pennsylvania couple, appeared before the magistrates to answer for the death of their two-year-old daughter. According to court documents, the Fosters are being trialed for involuntary manslaughter after they’ve refused to take their daughter to the hospital on account that their religion forbids drugs and doctors.
Pennsylvania Couple Argued That the Toddler’s Death Is God’s Will
The Pennsylvania couple was taken into custody in November 2016 and charged with the death of Elle Grace, their 2-year-old daughter.
According to the suspects’ testimonies, the baby began feeling ill, and, quoting the father, started showing all the signs and symptoms associated with the common cold. Instead of taking her to the hospital, the Pennsylvania couple decided to keep their daughter at home, hoping that the disease will pass.
However, several days later, the child began breathing irregularly and passed away in her father’s arms several hours later. The coroner’s report revealed that Elle Grace’s cause of death was pneumonia, a very preventable condition if the child was rushed to the hospital.
During the court proceedings, the Pennsylvania couple’s attorney argued that the Fosters are members of the Faith Tabernacle Congregation and that their religious beliefs forbid them to put their trust in doctors or take pharmaceutical drugs.
The attorney also declared that the parents believed that their daughter had just a cold, not something more severe. Still, the prosecution managed to tear down the couple’s defense after stating that the night before Elle Grace’s death, a priest from the Congregation was called to anoint the girl and not anyone else in the family.
Conclusion
In their closing remarks, the Pennsylvania couple declared that Elle Grace’s death was God’s will. Pending the court’s verdict, the Fosters will remain behind bars. Meanwhile, the rest of their children were placed in protective custody.
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