Father Testifies in Baby Death Trial

World Now/May 12, 2005

The father on trial for choosing religion over medicine in the death of his newborn is testifying Wednesday afternoon.

DeWayne and Maleta Schmidt are accused of not calling a doctor to treat their daughter, Rhiana Rose, who died forty hours after being born.

A doctor Tuesday testified for the prosecution that the baby died from a blood infection that could have been treated easily with antibiotics.

The Schmidts are members of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn in Morgantown. They called on church elders to heal the suffering child instead of seeking medical treatment.

Closing arguments will begin Thursday morning. The jury is expected to get the case by noon Thursday.