OREGON CITY, Ore. -- The trial of a couple accused of causing their child's death by relying on faith healing began on Monday.

Carl and Raylene Worthington are charged with manslaughter and criminal mistreatment in the death of their 15-month-old daughter Ava.

Investigators said the couple tried to use prayer to cure their daughter's pneumonia instead of seeking medical attention. An autopsy showed Ava died of pneumonia in March 2008 and the state medical examiner ruled it could have been easily cured with antibiotics.

The Worthingtons are members of the Followers of Christ Church that believes in using prayer for healing instead of medical care.

The trial began in Clackamas County Court Monday with relatives and members of the family's church packing the courtroom. As opening statements got underway, Carl and Raylene Worthington held hands.

In his opening remarks, prosecutor Greg Horner revealed that he is out to prove the Worthingtons knew how sick their daughter was and still didn't take her to a doctor.

"There is nothing criminal about asking for prayer. There is nothing about this prosecution that has anything to do with asking for prayer, but what is inherent in that answer is the failure to do anything about providing adequate medical care," Horner said.

The defense attorney, Mark Cogan, said he will show that the couple stayed true to their religious beliefs and turned to prayer and healing by laying hands on Ava and they believed she was getting better.

"The government is not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Worthington or Mrs. Worthington committed either of the crimes which they are being charged of we ask you to return that verdict," Cogan said.

Before the official trial got started, there were some matters from the pre-trial hearing still left to deal with.

The defense requested that no other faith healing related deaths be allowed to be talked about in the trial, but the judge denied it and said it's impossible to know what will become relevant as the trial moves forward.

Trial Begins In Faith-Healing Death Case

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