Both parents held ‘strong religious beliefs’ and claimed they had their rights violated and had been discriminated against when their daughter was taken away from them (File Picture: Getty)

A couple have lost custody of their child after using a stuffed lion as their lawyer and claiming it spoke the word of God to them.

The little girl, now aged one, from British Columbia, was removed from their care when she was just a month old and her parents can now only visit her during supervised visits.

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They reportedly refused for her to have any medical tests, including hearing tests, blood tests, eye drops and vaccinations because of ‘strong religious beliefs’, a court heard.

The couple argued their rights were violated and they had been discriminated against when a judge ruled their daughter should be taken away from them.




During the court case, they refused legal aid and used the stuffed animal as their lawyer, arguing that Jesus Christ was acting as their witness and judge.

Shortly after the child’s birth, they were criminally charged with causing a disturbance after police were called to a church where they were trying to ‘purge churches of demonic influences'(File Picture: Getty)

Throughout the case they spoke ‘in tongues’ and when they cross examined witnesses, they said Jesus was asking questions through them.

The court was told that when the woman found out she was pregnant, she told a social worker that her husband had choked her to stop her crying, tied her hands and mouth with tape and occasionally beat her.

Her husband had grown up in a cult and believed sexual relations between children should be encouraged, the court heard.

Shortly after the child’s birth, they were criminally charged with causing a disturbance after police were called to reports the couple were attempting to ‘purge churches of demonic influences’.

There were further concerns over violence in the home and mental health, which were exacerbated when the mother applied to change the girl’s name to ‘Jesus JoyOfTheLord’ and change her own name to ‘Risen Lord Jesus Refinesfire Christ’.

Justice Diane MacDonald ruled that they were not credible and has placed the baby in continuing care, which can lead to children being permanently adopted.

She said, ‘The parents obviously love their child and wish to raise her in their home with their Christian values.

‘It is clear that there was sufficient evidence before the trial judge to allow him to come to the conclusion that a continuing custody order was warranted in the circumstances’.

The couple, who are not being named to protect the identity of the child, have appealed the ruling.

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