Linda Martin spoke quietly to state lawmakers today, a stack of coroner’s reports at the ready. “I represent myself and the children in my family that have passed away from what I believe is medical neglect,” she said. “I’ve been asking the state Legislature for the last three years to make a change in religious exemptions, because I feel like the children need the added protection.”

“For those who don’t know my story, I was born in Boise and I attended the Followers of Christ Church in Meridian until I left at 16 years old. I still have family members that are active in the church. And I had many children in my family that died from lack of medical care. Their only form of treatment was prayer and anointing with oil.”

Martin shared the story of her cousin Jerry, who died at the age of 11 from untreated diabetes; and her nephew Stephen, who died from bronchial pneumonia just before his 3^rd birthday.

“When I decided to ask the Legislature to help these children and to make these changes, I didn’t take that lightly,” Martin said. “This is my family. I care deeply about my family. But I care more about the children and how they’re suffering. The way these kids die is inhumane. A child should not have to drown in their own fluids while people are praying over them. … When two people create a life, they have an obligation to that life to protect it.”

She said she believes if the Legislature removes the religious exemption, many members of the Followers of Christ will observe the law. “You will help young people, young couples that have children that will take a child to the doctor – they can say it’s the law, we have to,” she said. “They won’t have to worry about their parents shunning them. They won’t have to worry about the church turning on them.”