Schaibles held for trial in their son's death

A Philadelphia faith healing couple will face trial on third-degree murder and involuntary-manslaughter charges for leaving their ailing 7-month-old son to die without seeking medical treatment.

Herbert and Catherine Schaible, charged in the death of son Brandon, who succumbed April 18 to bacterial pneumonia, severe dehydration, and strep, face arraignment in August. On Wednesday, Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Hayden ordered them held for trial after ruling that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.

The Schaibles are members of First Century Gospel Church, a Juniata Park church that shuns medical care. At the time of Brandon's death, they were on probation after being charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2009 death of their 2-year-old son, Kent. Kent died in the couple's Rhawnhurst home after being stricken with bacterial pneumonia and ailing for a week while the parents prayed but did not call a doctor.

The terms of probation required that the couple, who have seven other children, take their offspring to a doctor for annual checkups and seek medical care if the children fell ill.

Gary Collins, a deputy medical examiner, testified that Brandon, like his brother before him, died of bacterial pneumonia and severe dehydration.

Under questioning by Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore, Collins said that while Brandon had symptoms of illness for at least three days before his death, "no medication was given." Collins said Brandon suffered from difficulty breathing, and his skin showed signs of severe dehydration.

Bobby Hoof, Herbert Schaible's defense lawyer, urged the judge to dismiss the charges, saying Herbert Schaible "did not know this baby was sick enough to die."

Pescatore countered that the couple "did not do what the court told them to do" under the probation order. She added, "They were on notice. They didn't have to know their child was going to die."

Mythri Jayaraman, Catherine Schaible's defense attorney, said the mother did not act with malice in her child's death.

In May, the Schaibles were ordered jailed because they were considered a flight risk. Their other children are in the custody of the Department of Human Services, Pescatore said.