November 29, 2011
At least three known child deaths have been linked to the child discipline book “To Train Up a Child” written by Michael and Debi Pearl, a fundamentalist Christian minister and his wife.
Their book advocates corporal punishment for children from infancy using implements and even suggests withholding food and hosing children down for behavior lapses. As I’ve written previously, the Pearls’ writings have a wide following.
Recent child deaths caused by beatings administered by parents pursuant to the Pearls’ instructions have received significant publicity.
The trial in the case involving Larry and Carri Williams of Sedro-Woolley, Washington, is set for May 7, 2012. Out on bail after being accused of beating their 13-year-old adopted daughter to death, the Williams now face life in prison on a homicide charge.
Their daughter was found face down, naked, and emaciated in her family’s backyard on May 12, 2011. Officials determined her death to have been caused by hypothermia and malnutrition. According to the sherriff’s affidavit, she had been beaten earlier in the day with 15-inch plastic piping. The use of this piping to “train” children is one of the primary recommendations in the Pearls’ book.