Praying Okla. Mom Pleads Not Guilty to Neglect

(AP) A 42-year-old Tulsa woman has pleaded not guilty to charges of child neglect filed after the death of her 9-year-old son.

Susan Grady entered her plea Monday during a brief hearing in Tulsa County District Court. Special Judge Dawn Moody scheduled Grady's preliminary hearing for Feb. 1.

Prosecutors say Grady chose to pray over her son, Aaron Gregory Grady, when he became sick on June 2, 2009, instead of seeking medical attention for the boy. He died three days later.

An affidavit filed by a Broken Arrow police detective indicates Susan Grady said she is a member of the Church of the First Born and "believes in faith-based healing through prayer."

Defense attorney Clark Brewster tells the Tulsa World the charges present a "challenge to faith."