Hayden Edwards was born on the evening of June 24, 2023, to Blair and Taylor Edwards, members of the Followers of Christ Church in Oregon City, Oregon. Two days after birth, Hayden's health deteriorated and he stopped eating. Rather than seeking medical care, the parents called relatives to their home to pray over and bless the infant. Family and friends noted that the baby looked unhealthy and his lips had turned blue. At 2:35 p.m. on June 26, Hayden stopped breathing but briefly resumed after his mother splashed cold water on his face. Despite the baby not eating for seven hours and showing clear signs of medical distress, the parents never called for medical help. Hayden died approximately 30 minutes later. Investigative records indicated the baby had jaundice, evidenced by yellow skin and organs. The official cause of death was not determined. Both parents were subsequently charged with first and second degree criminal mistreatment, and both stated they would never seek medical treatment for their child under any circumstances.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The KPTV article states that Hayden's "health took a turn and he stopped eating" and that "despite his condition and not eating for seven hours, the parents didn't call for medical help." A 2-day-old newborn not eating for seven hours without medical intervention raises concerns about dehydration, though the text does not explicitly use the terms malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration.
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The KPTV article explicitly states that "Blair and Taylor Edwards failed to provide medical treatment for their son, Hayden" and that both parents are facing "first and second degree criminal mistreatment charges." When asked under what circumstances they would seek medical treatment, "they responded that they never would." The faith-healing beliefs of the Followers of Christ Church led them to call relatives to pray rather than seek medical care for a visibly ill newborn.
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The KPTV article identifies Blair Edwards as the father who, along with Taylor Edwards, "failed to provide medical treatment for their son, Hayden." Both parents are charged with criminal mistreatment. Blair stated he would never seek medical treatment for Hayden.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The KPTV article identifies Taylor Edwards as the mother who, along with Blair Edwards, "failed to provide medical treatment for their son, Hayden." Both parents are charged with criminal mistreatment. Taylor stated she would never seek medical treatment for Hayden.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
The KPTV article states that "When the parents grew concerned, relatives arrived at their home on S. Maywood Street in Oregon City to pray and bless the infant." These relatives were present during the child's deterioration and death, participating in faith healing instead of calling for medical assistance. The OregonLive article also notes that the couple's parents appeared to live directly across the street. While the relatives were not charged, their presence and participation in the prayer response instead of calling for medical help contributed to the circumstances of the death.
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The KPTV article states: "A couple who belong to the Followers of Christ Church in Oregon City are facing first and second degree criminal mistreatment charges after their newborn died in June 2023." The headline also states the couple was "arrested."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable systemic details emerge from the text. First, this case represents at least the sixth criminal case involving a child's death in the Followers of Christ Church community in Clackamas County, indicating a persistent pattern of preventable child deaths within a single religious community. The KPTV article notes that "Taylor, is pregnant with what would be their 5th child and is due this summer," raising immediate concerns about another child's safety. The court's release conditions required the parents to "provide any necessary medical treatment for their three other children," suggesting the court recognized a continuing risk. The OregonLive article notes the church "doesn't have formal leadership and isn't connected to any mainstream denomination," making systemic intervention difficult. The parents' explicit statement that they would "never" seek medical treatment under any circumstances highlights the depth of the religious conviction driving these preventable deaths.
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