An Oregon City couple pled guilty to first-degree criminal mistreatment in Clackamas County Circuit Court after withholding life-saving medical care from their newborn son, resulting in his death.
Blair Edwards, 37, and Taylor Edwards, 32, were sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of supervised probation after admitting on Monday that they did not seek medical treatment for their son, Hayden, despite evidence of significant physical discomfort.
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The Edwards belong to the Followers of Christ, a religious organization that rejects scientific medicine in favor of prayer and faith healing. Their case is the sixth prosecution of church members in Clackamas County for medical neglect of children since 2008, with five resulting in infant deaths.
“Oregon law is extremely clear; parents are required to protect their children,” said Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth. “We have and will continue to prosecute members of this church—or any other person—who fails to seek necessary medical treatment for a child in their care.”
Infant’s Condition Deteriorated Without Medical Help
Hayden was born at home on June 24, 2025, and originally appeared healthy. But by the morning of June 26, he had stopped eating and was exhibiting signs of distress, such as bluish lips, hard breathing, and lethargy. Instead of calling for emergency assistance, the Edwards phoned church members, who attended to pray and anoint the newborn with olive oil, a typical religious ritual.
Hayden fought to breathe for hours. Eventually, he stopped breathing altogether. The family tried to resuscitate him with cold cloths and body rubs but never sought expert medical help. He was eventually proclaimed deceased.
Medical examiners determined that Hayden died from acute bilirubin encephalopathy caused by hyperbilirubinemia, a disorder in which dangerously high quantities of bilirubin accumulate in a newborn’s brain. The cause of the bilirubin imbalance could not be ascertained; hence, prosecutors were unable to file charges directly related to his death.
A Public Apology and a Plea to Others
Blair Edwards expressed regret in court by reading a prepared statement.
“We should have reached out for medical care when Hayden went into medical distress,” he said. “Our beautiful and precious son’s death has shown us the value of preserving life through medical care… We ask members of our church to take our loss as motivation and seek medical intervention for your children.”
As part of their probation, the Edwards must follow tight rules to guarantee the safety of their four surviving children. These include keeping health insurance, getting frequent pediatric checkups, and following all medical advice.
