Posted 11:56 pm Friday, September 07, 2012
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Autopsy shows infant died of natural causes
By Kelly Gooch
kgooch@tylerpaper.com
Autopsy results of a 3-day-old infant who was prayed over after she died and before someone called authorities show that the child died of natural causes.
According to the autopsy report from the Dallas County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the child, Faith Pursley, died from pulmonary valve stenosis, which is described by the Mayo Clinic as a condition where blood flow from the heart to the lungs is slowed by a deformity on or near the pulmonary valve. The report also states that Faith was born at home and that her mother had not received prenatal care.
kgooch@tylerpaper.com
Autopsy results of a 3-day-old infant who was prayed over after she died and before someone called authorities show that the child died of natural causes.
According to the autopsy report from the Dallas County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the child, Faith Pursley, died from pulmonary valve stenosis, which is described by the Mayo Clinic as a condition where blood flow from the heart to the lungs is slowed by a deformity on or near the pulmonary valve. The report also states that Faith was born at home and that her mother had not received prenatal care.
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Capt. John Raffield has said Faith’s family members are part of a religious group that moved into the Wells community.
He said earlier this year that maybe six or seven members came to the Wells area from Dallas on a bus, which was left on the side of the road.
Some families lived in houses that were purchased while other members live in the Wells Manor Apartments on Wright Patman Drive, where authorities responded to Faith’s death.
About 4 a.m. May 27, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to the death of a 3-day-old infant.
He said earlier this year that maybe six or seven members came to the Wells area from Dallas on a bus, which was left on the side of the road.
Some families lived in houses that were purchased while other members live in the Wells Manor Apartments on Wright Patman Drive, where authorities responded to Faith’s death.
About 4 a.m. May 27, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to the death of a 3-day-old infant.
The person told officials the child was born on May 23 and died around 1 p.m. May 26, according to a news release, but they did not immediately call authorities. The person also told officials they prayed over the child before calling 911, Raffield has said.
According to a news release, deputies, emergency medical services and investigators responded to the scene and found the infant in a bassinette next to the bed in the master bedroom of the apartment.
The mother, father and several adults, who identified themselves as elders of the church the parents are members of, cooperated with investigators, the release states.
Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Vera Foreman pronounced the infant dead at the scene and ordered an autopsy.
Raffield said Thursday the sheriff’s office is still investigating the case to see if charges will be filed. However, he would not discuss any other details of the case.
“It’s going to end up being a touchy situation anyway because you have to deal with separation of church and state and the powers and religious beliefs,” Raffield said in May.
Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth said Thursday that his office received the autopsy report, along with other reports from law enforcement, and is still seeking other information before any decision can be made related to charges.
According to a news release, deputies, emergency medical services and investigators responded to the scene and found the infant in a bassinette next to the bed in the master bedroom of the apartment.
The mother, father and several adults, who identified themselves as elders of the church the parents are members of, cooperated with investigators, the release states.
Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Vera Foreman pronounced the infant dead at the scene and ordered an autopsy.
Raffield said Thursday the sheriff’s office is still investigating the case to see if charges will be filed. However, he would not discuss any other details of the case.
“It’s going to end up being a touchy situation anyway because you have to deal with separation of church and state and the powers and religious beliefs,” Raffield said in May.
Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth said Thursday that his office received the autopsy report, along with other reports from law enforcement, and is still seeking other information before any decision can be made related to charges.
