Church Leader and CPS Spokesperson React to Andrews Newborn Death 7/20/09
CBS 7 News
bberman@cbs7.com
July 20, 2009
Andrews, Texas -
An Andrews couple is under investigation tonight by Albuquerque Police after the death of their newborn infant.
According to court documents, Sam and Tammy Kaufman gave birth to twin boys in their Albuquerque hotel room.
Both twins were born alive but had severe breathing problems from the start.
The Kaufmans say they prayed for the newborn twins but did not call emergency responders for medical help.
Police were contacted three hours after the birth when the first-born twin died.
The affidavit says the Kaufmans told police it was against their religion to seek medical assistance saying it was "God's Will" for their newborn to die.
The case brings up questions about the classic issue of child welfare laws and religious beliefs.
"If I firmly believe something and believe this is God - then I wouldn't back down for a law," says Pastor Chad Kirk.
He learned of the Kaufman's newborn death today. He leads the Grandview Church of God in Odessa... a church with different beliefs than the Church of God that rejects medical help from man.
"I think there could have been more done to save the life of the child. But then again, was it their right to believe that way? I feel it was if that's the way they want to believe," says Kirk.
Many believe in the powers of divine healing... a mass and healing ceremony took place in Midland this Spring. But what about life-threatening situations that normally demand immediate medical attention? Is prayer enough?
"We believe in God as a divine healer but we also believe that all healing comes from God. Whether it comes through a miracle or a physician's hands, it comes from God," says Kirk.
The Texas Child Protective Services department confronted similar issues working the FLDS case. Spokesperson Marleigh Meisner weighed in on the topic of religion versus law.
"We certainly respect and honor a parent's rights to religion and their right to raise their children in the religion they prefer. If however we receive an allegation of abuse or neglect and it meets the criteria, we will conduct our investigation", says Meisner.
Investigators in New Mexico will have to determine whether the Kaufmans and others neglected the newborn when they gathered in prayer as the baby struggled to breathe and then lay motionless.
"We know that children must have their medical needs taken care of and often times when parents fail to meet their children's medical needs that does warrant an investigation by CPS," says Meisner.
While Pastor Kirk respects religious freedoms, he sees the need for change.
"More churches ought to encourage their congregations that going to a hospital is not disobeying God, it's not a lack of faith in God, it's a tool that I feel God has blessed us with," says Kirk.
After the newborn appeared to be dead, one of the other Church of God members at the conference performed CPR on the infant - seemingly a violation of the group's denial of medical help from man.
http://www.cbs7kosa.com/news/details.asp?ID=13762
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