TBNPolitics
A Newborn Died in a Faith-Healing Sect. The State — and One Ex-Believer — Stepped in to Save Her Twin.
Publication: ProPublica
Authors: Noelle Crombie, Beth Nakamura
Source published: 11/11/2026, 13:05:00 UTC
Briefing created: 11/11/2026, 14:46:25 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 11/11/2026, 14:24:25 UTC.
Briefings
In 2017, a newborn named Ginnifer died in the arms of her mother, Sarah Mitchell, of the Followers of Christ sect in Oregon City, Oregon, after refusing medical treatment. Her father, Eric Tonsfeldt, discovered the infant's condition and anointed her with olive oil. The family was charged with murder and neglect. Authorities intervened by bringing in the Phillips family to care for Ginnifer's twin, Evelyn, who survived with respiratory distress syndrome. The case highlighted a legal conflict between Oregon law and religious sects that refuse medical care, with the state eventually updating laws to prevent similar deaths.
Key points
- A newborn named Ginnifer died in the arms of her mother, Sarah Mitchell, of the Followers of Christ sect in Oregon City, Oregon, after refusing medical treatment.
- The family was charged with murder and neglect, prompting state intervention that brought in the Phillips family to care for Ginnifer's twin, Evelyn, who survived with respiratory distress syndrome.
Context
This case occurred in 2017 in Oregon City, Oregon, within the Followers of Christ sect, which refuses medical treatment. The state of Oregon has historically allowed religious sects to refuse care for adults, but this case involved a newborn, leading to a legal challenge regarding children's care.
Limitations
Evidence covers only the 2017 death of Ginnifer and the subsequent care of her twin Evelyn. It does not include the 18 children of the sect who died between 1989 and 1999, nor does it contain data on the sect's peak membership or specific medical outcomes for Ginnifer's twin.
Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 11/11/2026, 14:46:25 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.
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