A Michigan couple will spend decades behind bars after refusing medical care for their newborn daughter, leading to her tragic death.
Joshua and Rachel Piland were sentenced on June 11, 2025, to at least 20 years in prison for second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse in the 2017 death of their three-day-old daughter, Abigail.
Abigail Piland was born at home on February 6, 2017, with the assistance of a midwife.
Initially, she appeared to be in good health, as reported by PEOPLE.
However, the following day, the midwife, Sandra McCurdy noticed that the child had jaundice, and her skin had turned yellow, due to high bilirubin levels.
She strongly advised the Pilands to take Abigail to the hospital immediately, but they refused.
"The mother responded that they would not be seeking medical assistance because Abigail was fine and 'God makes no mistakes,'" according to court documents.
Tragically, Abigail died on February 9, 2017, three days after she was born.
When Abigail stopped breathing, the Pilands didn’t call for help.
Instead, they gathered with friends to pray for her resurrection.
It wasn’t until Rachel’s brother—who lived in California—found out about the death that police were finally called.
Officers arrived to find the group still praying over Abigail’s body—nine hours after she had died.
An autopsy later confirmed Abigail’s death was caused by kernicterus, a fatal brain condition resulting from untreated jaundice.
Doctors testified that her condition was easily treatable with simple medical intervention.
The Pilands, who practiced faith-based healing, insisted they did nothing wrong.
During his interrogation, Joshua told police, "If I had a choice between putting my daughter in the hands of men with the best of intentions and highest skill set in the world, I'd still put my daughter's life in the hands of my Lord Savior Jesus Christ."
Their extreme beliefs didn’t stop with Abigail.
After her death, Child Protective Services (CPS) removed their two older children from their home.
During the eight years the case was ongoing, Rachel gave birth to two more children.
Both newborns showed similar health issues as Abigail, but their parents once again kept it quiet and refused prenatal care.
However, when Child Protective Services (CPS) became aware of the situation, both babies were removed from the home and given life-saving treatment for the same condition that had claimed Abigail’s life.
After a three-week trial in March 2025, a jury found the Pilands guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse.
At her sentencing, Rachel’s parents begged her to reconsider her decisions, expressing concern that her religious beliefs had become so extreme they were now harming others.
"We want you back, we love you, and we willingly forgive you," her father, Glenn Kerr, said in court. "I pray this will not be the last time we see you."
Ingham County Circuit Judge James Jamo described the case as relatively simple, stating that the Pilands knowingly refused medical care, which ultimately led to their daughter’s death.
“What you have done… has impacted multiple lives,” he told Rachel, before sentencing both parents to 20 to 45 years in prison.
"They adamantly failed to provide medical care without even consulting someone," said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bill Crino.
"Abigail died from an essentially eradicated and easily preventable disease," he added.
This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences when faith is placed above reason —and innocent lives are lost as a result.
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