House Arrest For Faith-Healing Mom Charged With Murder Of Son
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A judge OK's house arrest for a faith healing mom charged with the murder of her son, the second son to die when Herbert and Catherine Schaible allegedly chose prayer over medical treatment (see related story). The judge ordered Herbert Schaible to remain in custody earlier this week.
The defense told the court Catherine Schaible is no threat to flee or danger to her children, because they are in protective care. The defense argued the evidence suggests Catherine Schaible is less culpable than her husband, because she defers to her husband. As the church pastor put it, women are to be subordinate to men, submissive to their leadership.
Judge Benjamin Lerner considered a number of factors, including house arrest will allow her more supervised visits with her remaining six children.
"He is still in custody, she should be in custody," Prosecutor Joanne Pescatore said. "They should be treated the same, no differently because, as the judge explained, he is letting her out mainly because of the welfare of the children, which is kind of ironic."
Pescatore argued, as a mother, Catherine Schaible is more culpable for watching her second child die and doing nothing.
The defendants are members of the First Century Gospel church in Juniata Park.
