PHILADELPHIA (AP) A fundamentalist Christian couple in the U.S. who believe in faith-healing over medicine pleaded no contest to third-degree murder in the death of their infant son, nearly four years after they were put on probation for the similar death of another child.
The 10-year probation term in the 2009 case required Herbert and Catherine Schaible to seek immediate medical help if another of their children became sick or injured. But prosecutors said the couple instead prayed over their 8-month-old son, Brandon, before he died of pneumonia in April.
Assistant District Attorney Joanna Pescatore said she can argue for any sentence up to the 20- to 40-year maximum prison term when the Schaibles return for sentencing in February.
The Schaibles were on probation because they had previously been convicted by a jury of involuntary manslaughter in the January 2009 pneumonia death of their 2-year-old son, Kent.
Herbert Schaible, 45, remained jailed Thursday, unable to post $250,000. His 44-year-old wife has been free since members of their church raised 10 percent of the same bail amount to secure her release.
