Brent Worthington says he never thought daughter would die

Father in faith-healing case also says he had little confidence doctors could heal his child

By Matthew Graham

The Oregon City News, Jul 10, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (4 Reader comments)

Ross William Hamilton / The Oregonian Pool Photo

Carl Brent Worthington looks at a picture of his daughter, Ava, Friday morning on a video monitor in Clackamas County Circuit Court. Worthington testified in his defense against manslaughter charges.

Ava Worthington's father testified in his defense Friday morning, telling the court that he never believed his 15-month-old daughter was about to die in March 2008, when she fell ill.

Carl Brent Worthington's testimony contradicted statements he made to investigators two days after Ava's death March 2, 2008. At that time, a sheriff’s office investigator asked Brent Worthington: “At any point during the Saturday going into Sunday, when her condition was worst, was there a point at which you thought maybe she might not survive?”

“Yes,” Brent told the investigator.

But when he took the stand Friday, the first thing Brent Worthington said was counter to that statement.

“I’m going to ask you a rather blunt question,” said his defense attorney, Mark Cogan of Portland. “Mr. Worthington, did you ever believe that your daughter was going to die?”

“No, I did not,” Brent Worthington replied.

“Is there anything that you would not do to save the life of your child?” Cogan asked.

“My family’s my life to me, I’d do everything I could,” Worthington replied.

“Would you even give your own life to save your daughter?” Cogan asked.

“Yes I would,” Worthington said.

According to medical examiners, Ava Worthington died of bronchopneumonia, sepsis and a cystic hygroma, or large mass of cysts, in her neck that constricted her breathing.

Brent, 29, and Raylene Worthington, 26, face second-degree manslaughter and second-degree criminal mistreatment charges because they didn’t take Ava to a doctor as her condition worsened. Instead, the Worthington family relied on faith healing to help their daughter.

The Worthingtons are members of the Followers of Christ Church in Oregon City, which believes in faith healing instead of medical treatment.

Under a 1999 Oregon law, parents are required to seek medical attention for their ailing children, even those who usually rely on faith healing. The law removed the “spiritual treatment” exception from state manslaughter cases.

During the afternoon session, Raylene Worthington, who is represented by Portland attorney John Neidig, also took the witness stand to testify in the trial that is wrapping up its second seek.

Brent and Raylene Worthington were charged separately for failing to get medical treatment for their daughter. Their cases were combined into one trial.

Video shows child's early steps

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