Sect Members Seek Freedom for Appeal

BOSTON, USA - A lawyer argued Thursday that two sect members should be allowed to remain free while they appeal a court order demanding they turn their baby over to the state.

Child welfare officials say they fear the child may be harmed because of the couple's religious practices. Rebecca and David Corneau are members of a fundamentalist Christian sect called The Body, which rejects modern medicine and advocates faith healing.

The couple has refused to acknowledge they have had another child, but witnesses say Rebecca Corneau appeared pregnant several months ago. State officials believe the couple is hiding the baby so the state won't take custody.

Two weeks ago, a juvenile court judge ordered the couple held in contempt and said they would be jailed unless they brought the baby to court. They are appealing the ruling.

J.W. Carney Jr., the couple's attorney, told a judge Thursday it could take a year or more to decide the appeal, and the couple should remain free during that time.

As an alternative, he suggested prosecutors give the couple immunity "if they decide it is more important to locate the child than to prosecute the Corneaus."

Virginia Peel, an attorney for the state Department of Social Services, objected to any immunity offer.

"The production of this child does not translate into a criminal prosecution," she said. "If you look at their argument ... it would almost lead you to believe this child is dead."

Two newborns belonging to members of the sect - including one of the Corneaus' children - have died. No one has been charged in the death of the Corneaus' son, but three sect members were charged with starving the other baby to death.

Supreme Judicial Court Justice Roderick Ireland said he could issue a ruling as early as Monday.