Hermanson v. State

William and Christine Hermanson (defendants), practicing Christian Scientists whose faith prohibited conventional medical treatment, did not seek medical care for their daughter Amy's untreated juvenile diabetes; Amy eventually died after they called a Christian Science nurse and then an ambulance, both too late. The Hermansons were charged with child abuse resulting in third-degree murder, and at trial argued a state statute exempted religiously motivated parental conduct like theirs from the child-abuse law; the prosecution countered that calling a nurse and ambulance showed they weren't legitimately following their faith's prohibition. The trial court rejected their due-process argument that the law's confusing structure gave them no fair notice their conduct was criminal, and they were convicted and sentenced to probation; the appellate court affirmed, and the Florida Supreme Court granted review.