Faith Healing Sentence: Phila. Couple Gets Probation in Death of Toddler Son, Other Kids Must See a Doctor

(CBS/AP) A fundamentalist Christian couple in Philadelphia, who unsuccessfully relied on prayer to cure their dying toddler, has been ordered to take their seven other children for medical check-ups as part of the sentence for their son's death.

A judge also sentenced Herbert and Catherine Schaible to 10 years of probation.  They were convicted in December of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in the pneumonia death of their 2-year-old son, Kent.

Prosecutors argued adults can choose to forgo medical care for themselves, but not for their children. Defense lawyers said the parents did not know how sick Kent was before his death in January 2009.

The Schaibles belong to First Century Gospel Church in Philadelphia.

Experts say about a dozen U.S. children die in faith-healing cases each year.

More on Crimesider

Dec. 7, 2010 - 2-Year-Old Died of Pneumonia, Did Parents' Faith Lead to Son's Death?