Parents say no to blood for baby

FORT WAYNE, Ind., (WANE) - The parents of a premature baby are staying true to their religious beliefs and refusing a blood transfusion for their anemic infant. A judge's court order has overruled their decision but the parents are still fighting to keep it from happening.

Because of their religious beliefs as Jehovah's Witnesses, the parents--Stephanie and Pierre Binns--do not want to see their baby girl get any foreign blood, even if it's a matter of life and death.

According to court documents, the infant, known only as "Baby Girl Binns"was born at Dupont Hospital on May 14th. She was more than two months early and is anemic.

Doctors say she'll need at least one blood transfusion, if not more, to stay alive. But that's not a course of treatment the parents believe in and will allow.

"We're not about to take blood, because the bible says abstain from blood," explained Richard Dellinger, an elder in the Jehovah's Witness Church in Fort Wayne.

Dellinger serves as a hospital liaison and refers to a passage in Acts to justify their belief in not taking blood.

"In Acts 15, verse 29, it says to abstain from blood," said Dellinger.

Court documents say that belief led the parents to refuse a transfusion for their baby girl.

Friday, DuPont hospital petitioned a judge to overrule that decision. A judge has granted the request, but so far, it hasn't been needed.

The girl's family sought out alternative treatments that seem to be working.

"The blood levels in this child are improving and we're taking advantage of what is available so as to avoid the transfusion," Dellinger told NewsChannel 15.

But even if it does come down to that, Dellinger says the parents have done their part and won't be held accountable by God.

He says,"The parents took their stand and they've demonstrated that they are faithful in their belief in God and in their stand on this issue."

Knocks at the parent's door went unanswered Wednesday afternoon.

"Baby Girl Binns" remains in the neonatal intensive care unit at Dupont Hospital.