A Clackamas County judge said Friday that the state will retain legal custody of Alayna Wyland, whose devoutly religious parents treated the girl's vision-threatening medical condition with prayer instead of taking her to a doctor.

The parents, Timothy and Rebecca Wyland, were convicted last month of first-degree criminal mistreatment and sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years probation. As a condition of probation, the Wylands must follow a court-ordered treatment plan.

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Circuit Judge Douglas Van Dyk said he was concerned the Wylands would not continue necessary long-term medical treatment once off probation. He denied a motion to return custody of Alayna to the Wylands and will review the matter in July 2012.

Van Dyk cited statements Timothy Wyland recently made to a child welfare worker who asked whether the couple would follow through with the treatment plan without state supervision.

"Only time will tell," Wyland reportedly replied, adding that that God is the "best healer" and decides who will be cured.

Shortly after her birth in late 2009, Alayna's left eye quickly was engulfed by an abnormal mass of blood vessels. The Wylands, members of the Followers of Christ, an Oregon City faith-healing church, used spiritual rituals to treat the eye because medical care conflicts with their religious beliefs.

Alayna, now 19 months old, will need treatment for the damaged eye until she is seven. Although she lives at home, the Department of Human Services has had legal custody since last July and supervises her care.

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