Ore. couple pleads guilty to negligent homicide in son's death

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Brandi Bellew and her husband Russel Bellew leave a Lane County courtroom on Tuesday

/ AP

(CBS/AP) EUGENE, Ore. - A Creswell, Ore., husband and wife have pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the faith-healing death of their 16-year-old son.

CBS affiliate KVAL-TV reports that the teen, Austin Sprout, died at home last December after his appendix burst. Lane County sheriff's Capt. Byron Trapp says medical professionals believe the boy's condition was treatable had he been provided medical care.

Sheriff's officers arrested Brandi and Russel Bellew in February. The woman is the boy's mother and Russel Bellew is his stepfather.

The couple is affiliated with the General Assembly and Church of the First Born, which believes in using prayer to treat illness.

Assistant District Attorney Eric Hasselman said that as part of the pleas entered Tuesday the Bellews are ordered to follow an in-home safety plan set up by the Department of Human Services to ensure their other children's safety. A probation officer will work with the family as well.

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by gwrigley September 20, 2012 1:57 AM EDT

Religion is the worst plague that has ever been foisted upon the people of this planet. It's hard to believe people will allow their own children to die because some religious fanatic tells them their child doesn't need a doctor, they just need to pray.

If you go through history, the pain and misery caused by believing in these fairy tales is hard to imagine. The fact that it persists today is beyond all belief. The stupidity of human kind is amazing. Perhaps PT Barnum was correct, there is a sucker born every minute.

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by syriana007 September 20, 2012 12:58 PM EDT: right on.


by FormerUSMCSergeant September 19, 2012 8:11 PM EDT: by MaxK341 September 19, 2012 7:37 PM EDT
What did they do wrong?
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How about letting a son die from a treatable condition?

Not too swift are you, Max?; Reply to this comment

by FormerUSMCSergeant September 19, 2012 8:10 PM EDT

"as part of the pleas entered Tuesday the Bellews are ordered to follow an in-home safety plan set up by the Department of Human Services to ensure their other children's safety.."
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What?

They kill one son through pure stupidity and are given probation and allowed to keep their other kids?

Incredible.

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by skeezix06 September 20, 2012 5:22 AM EDT: They killed him when they didn't get him treatment so, yes, in my opinion they killed him. If I'd been on a jury I'd have convicted them.

I agree with FormerUSMCSergeant. The other kids should not still be in their custody. The court system is once again ignoring what's best for the child so that they can cater to what parents want.


by angelofurnightmare September 20, 2012 10:11 AM EDT: I agree they as well as killed the boy...and having your appendix burst is extremely painful...poor boy...

by MaxK341 September 19, 2012 7:37 PM EDT

What did they do wrong? Are we obligated to support the medical mafia? People die in hospitals every day and that is considered acceptable.

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by bigred2012 September 20, 2012 5:05 PM EDT: your right, they do in the hospital...but after treatment has been tried. based on what was said, they didnt take him.