Probation revoked for Philly couple after death of second child
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia couple serving 10 years’ probation for the 2009 death of a toddler who died when the parents turned to prayer instead of a doctor to heal the boy have violated their probation now that a second child – less than 8 months old – has died last week.
Philadelphia Judge Benjamin Lerner violated the probation of Herbert and Catherine Schaible who belong to a fundamentalist Christian church that believes in faith-healing.
Authorities have yet to file criminal charges in the death of the child last week, after he suffered with diarrhea and breathing problems for days. But charges could be filed once authorities pinpoint how the boy died.
The couple is on probation after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in 2011 in the earlier death of their 2-year-old son, Kent, from bacterial pneumonia.