An East Tennessee woman convicted of child neglect in her daughter’s cancer death is asking the state Supreme Court to declare that she was innocent when she relied on prayer to heal the girl.
Jacqueline Crank was sentenced to unsupervised probation after her 15-year-old daughter died of Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2002. Despite the light sentence, Crank has pursued the case for more than 10 years, arguing that faith-healing should be legal for everyone.
Tennessee law does protect faith-healing but only when performed by an accredited practitioner of a recognized church or religious denomination.
Crank followed the advice and counsel of a man accredited by the Universal Life Church. Testimony showed the church will accredit anyone who fills out an application.
The Tennessee Supreme Court hears arguments on Thursday.
