Trial of Jeff and Marci Beagley

Season 4, Episode 7

Jeff and Marci Beagley – Their faith refused medical treatment for their son, Neil

Jeffrey and Marci Beagley were both members of the Followers of Christ Church, whose members have a lengthy history of child deaths from lack of medical care. The deaths influenced a 1999 law eliminating the religious freedom defense in some cases involving the welfare of a child. At their 2010 trial, the Oregon City couple testified they knew their son Neil was ill two weeks before he died in June 2008 from complications of a urinary tract blockage. 

The Beagleys also were present when their 15-month-old granddaughter died of complications from pneumonia and a blood infection, both treatable conditions, in March 2008.

 “The court has the opportunity to deliver a clear message that this idea that one can let a child die while they’re praying without medical attention is not supportable,” prosecutor Greg Horner said. “It must be addressed.” 

Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge Steven Maurer sentenced Jeffrey and Marci Beagley to 16 months in prison with three years of post-prison supervision. 
The sentences were later reduced by 98 days for good behavior. 

The Oregon Court of Appeals denied an appeal from the Beagleys on June 19th 2013.

The Beagleys contended they had no legal duty to provide medical care for their child and that the judge who handled their case improperly allowed jurors to hear prejudicial testimony. The court, however, ruled that the evidence and jury instructions at the Beagleys’ trial were appropriate. The couple argued that the trial court judge erroneously denied their motion to exclude the evidence relating to the death of their granddaughter 3 months previously. The appeals court disagreed. 

“The fact that defendants had witnessed the death of another child due a to lack of medical care makes it more probable, not only that they did know that Neil was at risk, but that they should have known that Neil was at risk,” the court said. 
The court also affirmed that the jury instructions were appropriate and Oregon’s criminal negligence statutes were correctly applied. 

“The statutes permit a parent to treat a child by prayer or other spiritual means so long as the illness is not life threatening,” the appeals court said. “However, once a reasonable person should know that there is a substantial risk that the child will die without medical care, the parent must provide that care, or allow it to be provided, at the risk of criminal sanctions if the child does die.” 

According to religionnewsblog.com; "Theologically, the Followers of Christ church is a cult of Christianity. It’s extreme stance on faith healing is unbiblical, and places the church outside the boundaries of the Christian faith. Sociologically the church should also be considered a destructive cult, as its practices are harmful to its followers and/or their dependents." 


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Related keywords: True Crime, Court, Court in the Act, Holly Street, Max Street