LANSING, MI – A Michigan couple whose adherence to faith-based healing led to the death of their newborn daughter, Abigail, has received long prison sentences following their conviction on second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse charges.
Rachel Piland, 38, and Joshua Piland, 44, were sentenced this week by Ingham County Circuit Judge James Jamo, each receiving a minimum of 20 years in prison in the tragic case that dates back to 2017. Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bill Crino noted the complexity of the trial in March, emphasizing that the prosecution sought to honor the short life of Abigail as they navigated the legal proceedings.
Abigail, born at home in Lansing on February 6, 2017, with the assistance of a midwife, exhibited signs of jaundice just days after her birth. Despite the midwife’s recommendation for hospital treatment, which could have saved her life, the couple refrained from seeking medical help due to their religious beliefs. Rachel Piland’s mother was present during the birth and also advised medical intervention, but her concerns were dismissed by the couple.
The infant succumbed to Rh disease, a condition related to blood incompatibility between mother and child that can be prevented and treated with prenatal care. The couple’s refusal for any medical treatment was rooted in their faith, which they believed dictated that prayer would serve as the ultimate cure.
Initially charged with involuntary manslaughter, their charges were elevated following the discovery that the couple prayed over their deceased child’s body instead of contacting emergency services, a decision that delayed law enforcement’s involvement until a relative from California alerted them hours after Abigail’s death.
Throughout the trial, Rachel Piland persisted in her belief that prayer was the best course of action, testifying that she and her husband made decisions rooted in their faith even in the face of their daughter’s deterioration.
Prosecutors argued that the couple’s inaction was a breach of their parental duty to protect their children, a point underscored by their history with subsequent children. The couple had two more children with the same condition, who both survived only because the state intervened to provide necessary medical care.
The court acknowledged the serious nature of the couple’s neglect as Crino highlighted their repeated failure to ensure the well-being of their children by refusing to consult medical professionals. Judge Jamo delivered two concurrent sentences for each—20 to 45 years for murder and nearly 19 to 45 years for child abuse.
During the hearing, Rachel Piland expressed her love for her children through tears, attributing her actions to her faith in Jesus Christ as a source of healing.