Couple Get Year In Jail For Death Of Baby

A San Bernardino County, Calif., couple who allegedly allowed their sick baby to die has been sentenced to a year in jail and five years of probation.

Julia, the 11-month-old daughter of Richard and Agnes Wiebe, died of bacterial meningitis two years ago.

The Wiebes chose prayer instead of medicine to treat the child, because their religion shuns doctor intervention. They are members of the Church of God in Upland, Calif.

Judge Gerard Brown handed down the sentence Friday under the terms of a plea bargain he negotiated with the parents last month.

They had pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and child abuse. In exchange, Brown agreed to suspend a six-year state prison sentence.

As terms of their probation, Brown said they must attend parenting classes and not associate with any convicted felons except Daniel Layne, the reformed heroin addict who leads their church.