A father in Gwinnett County, Georgia, U.S.A. is facing murder charges for the death of his sick baby.
Prosecutors are blaming George Landell for the death of his 11-week-old baby Niveah in April last year, saying he did not allow the child to get medical attention based on his belief that prayer and not medicine would save the baby
"On the day she died, George believed that his prayers were what she needed. He believe his prayers were the medicine for the evils that were attacking her. Ultimately, this will come down to what you believe," said defence lawyer Maryann Blend, according to WSB-TV 2 Atlanta.
Landell's wife, Lauren, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. She testified against her husband on Thursday.
The baby died of starvation after being fed with breast milk that was diluted with water. Duluth Police Capt. Mark Hunter said the baby's death was the result of her parents' "malicious" actions.
An investigation by the police concluded that the baby was "not properly fed or clothed" and was "often presented in poor hygiene."
During the trial, Landell cried, but prosecutors were firm in their belief that because he ignored doctors' advice and did not give the baby proper medical care, he is guilty of murder.
"They believed there was something malicious or sinister or evil on the day that that child passed," said Blend.
Landell's wife, prosecutors said, was worried that she was not giving the baby enough milk, but her husband prevailed upon her and told her to just add water.
"His wife is asking him to go to the hospital and he refuses and he says your negativity is interfering so you need leave the room," said prosecutor Dan Mayfield.
According to a nursing supervisor who testified on Wednesday, "he (Landell) walked out of the room (after his child died) and he was just very flat and not what you'd expect."
